Spain’s Diverse Climate: From Mediterranean Coasts to Mountain Peaks

Weather in Spain

Spain’s diverse weather patterns are influenced by its latitudinal position on the Iberian Peninsula and its location within the atmospheric general circulation. Air masses from both north and south bring varied characteristics, resulting in hot and cold, humid and dry conditions. This temperate zone experiences a mix of warm and cold air, leading to remarkable climatic diversity across its varied terrain.

Oceanic Climate

The oceanic climate dominates northern and northwestern Spain. It’s characterized by:

• Abundant rainfall throughout the year, influenced by Atlantic polar fronts.
• Winter precipitation peaks, with a summer minimum due to the Azores High.
• Mild temperatures (9-12°C) due to proximity to the Atlantic, with cool summers (below 22°C) and moderate winters (6-10°C).
• Inland areas experience greater temperature ranges, colder winters, warmer summers, and less rain.

Mediterranean Climate

The Mediterranean climate prevails across the Mediterranean coast, inland areas, and the Balearic Islands. It features:

• Low to moderate, irregular rainfall, with dry, stormy summers due to the Azores High.
• Rainfall peaks at the equinoxes, except in Atlantic-facing areas, with torrential winter rains causing soil erosion.
• Temperatures vary by latitude and distance from the sea, leading to three subtypes:

Coastal Mediterranean Climate

This subtype covers the Mediterranean coast, South Atlantic, Balearic Islands, Ceuta, and Melilla. It’s characterized by:

• Low to moderate rainfall, higher in the South Atlantic due to Atlantic storms.
• Winter or autumn-winter rainfall maximum, with lower rainfall on the Mediterranean coast as storms lose moisture.
• Autumn rainfall peaks on the Mediterranean coast due to cold drops causing flash floods.
• Moderate temperature range, with hot summers and mild winters.

Continental Mediterranean Climate

This subtype covers the peninsular interior and features:

• Low to moderate rainfall, slightly higher in the western interior due to Atlantic storms.
• Winter rainfall maximum, with lower rainfall in the central depressions and Ebro Valley due to mountain barriers.
• Equinoctial rainfall maximum when winter anticyclones weaken.
• High temperature range due to isolation from marine influences, with three subtypes:
  • Northern Sub-plateau and Highlands: Cool summers, very cold winters with frosts and fogs.
  • Southern Sub-plateau: Hot summers, cold winters (less so than the north).
  • Extremadura and Inland Andalusia: Hot summers, mild winters.

Dry Mediterranean Climate

This subtype, including subdesert areas, covers the Southeast and Ebro Valley. It’s characterized by:

• Very low rainfall due to the rain shadow effect of the Betic Mountains in the Southeast.
• Precipitation occurs when storms form in the Alboran Sea or pass through the Strait of Gibraltar.
• Desert climate in Cabo de Gata.
• Dryness in the Ebro Valley due to mountain barriers.
• Very high summer temperatures, with winter temperatures above 10°C in the Southeast.
• Cold winters and very hot summers in inland steppe climates.

Subtropical Climate

The subtropical climate is found only in the Canary Islands due to their proximity to the Tropic of Cancer and the arid African coast. It’s characterized by:

• Mild year-round temperatures influenced by the Azores High and trade winds.
• Rainfall when the anticyclone shifts and Atlantic storms affect the islands.
• Relief rainfall on windward slopes, with very low rainfall in lowlands, especially on eastern islands (desert climate).
• Warm temperatures and a very low temperature range throughout the year.

Mountain Climate

Mountain climates occur in the Pyrenees, Central System, Iberian System, Cantabrian Mountains, and Penibetic System. They are characterized by:

• Low average annual temperatures and a small temperature range.
• Very cold winters and abundant rainfall, often as snow, increasing with altitude.
• Colder temperatures on north-facing slopes.