Western Asia experiences a diverse range of climates, characterized primarily by arid and semi-arid conditions. The region spans from the Mediterranean coast to the steppes of Central Asia, with varying climates reflecting its vast geographical expanse.

The Mediterranean climate, found along the coastal regions of countries like Turkey, Lebanon, and Israel, features mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers. This climate is influenced by the Mediterranean Sea, which moderates temperatures. Moving eastward, the climate transitions to a semi-arid to arid climate, with decreasing precipitation and increasing temperature. The Middle East, including Iran, Iraq, and the Arabian Peninsula, is characterized by hot deserts, such as the Sahara and Rub' al Khali, with very little rainfall and extreme temperature fluctuations. Central Asia, including Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, experiences a continental climate with hot summers and cold winters, with less pronounced temperature extremes compared to the deserts.

Data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) supports this classification. For instance, the average annual temperature in Istanbul, Turkey, which has a Mediterranean climate, ranges from 9.5°C to 15.5°C, with a mean of 12.8°C. In contrast, the average annual temperature in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, which has a hot desert climate, ranges from 18.2°C to 34.2°C, with a mean of 25.3°C. The precipitation in Istanbul is around 630 mm annually, while Riyadh receives less than 100 mm.

The diverse climates in Western Asia are shaped by a combination of geographical factors, including proximity to the Mediterranean Sea, the presence of large deserts, and the influence of the Asian high-pressure system during winter. These factors contribute to the region's complex and varied climate patterns.