Climate Factors and Weather Patterns in Spain

Factors Influencing Climate

a) The Tilt of Earth’s Axis

The tilt of Earth’s axis gives rise to different climatic zones:

  • Torrid: Between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn.
  • Temperate: Between the tropics and the polar circles.
  • Frigid: Between the polar circles and the poles.

b) Air Circulation

  • Warm air ascends into the upper layers of the atmosphere.
  • Origin of low pressure or squalls.
  • Cools and descends to the surface.
  • Origin of high pressure or anticyclone (stable, dry, and sunny weather).
  • Surface air moves from high-pressure areas to low-pressure areas.
  • This causes wind.
  • Fronts appear where cold air masses meet hot air masses.

c) Ocean Currents

  • Warm currents increase rainfall.
  • Cold currents have the opposite effect.

d) Relief

A higher altitude causes a decrease in temperature, increased rainfall, and temperature differences.

Factors Influencing Climate in Spain

The climatic diversity of the Iberian Peninsula is due to:

  • Its situation in the temperate zone of the Earth: Influence of cold air masses from the north or warm air masses from the south.
  • The maritime influence softens the temperatures on the coasts. Inland, more extreme temperatures are presented.
  • The presence of Atlantic storms in the north and west causes more humid zones.
  • The high average altitude of the plateau and the presence of mountain ranges affect the distribution of:
    • Winds
    • Clouds
    • Temperatures
    • Rainfall

Climate Types of the Iberian Peninsula

A. Atlantic Oceanic Climate

  • Occurs in the Atlantic zone: Galicia and the Cantabrian Coast.
  • Presents regular rainfall throughout the year.
  • Summers are cool and winters are mild (small thermal amplitude).

B. Mediterranean Climate

  • Occurs throughout the Iberian Peninsula, the Balearic Islands, Ceuta, and Melilla.
  • Main characteristic: Dry season in summer.
  • Low and erratic precipitation.
  • Increased thermal amplitude.
  • Distinguished by:

Coastal Mediterranean Climate

Occurs in:

  • The Balearic Islands
  • The eastern coast from Levante and Catalonia
  • The western coast of Andalusia to Malaga
  • Dry summers and mild winters
  • More precipitation in spring and autumn

Continental Mediterranean Climate

Occurs in:

  • The Plateau
  • The Ebro Valley
  • The interior of Andalusia
  • High thermal amplitude, cold winters, and hot summers
  • Regular summer storms

Arid Mediterranean Climate

  • Occurs in the peninsular southeast (Almeria and Murcia).
  • Low rainfall.
  • Mild heat in winter.

C. Subtropical Climate

  • Occurs in the subtropical zone of the Canary Islands.
  • Mild and uniform temperatures.
  • Similar rainfall to the Mediterranean climate, although less.
  • Cloud formations in the mountainous islands are caused by oceanic air masses.

D. Mountain Climate

  • Occurs at elevations above 1000 meters.
  • Cold and rainy.

E. High Mountain Climate

  • Occurs at elevations above 2,000 meters (Pyrenees, Sierra Nevada, Picos de Europa, Gredos, and Teide).