Spain’s Diverse Climates: A Regional Analysis
Spain’s Diverse Climates
Spain exhibits a wide variety of climates due to its geographical location and diverse topography. Here’s a breakdown of the main climate types:
1) Oceanic Climate
- Location: Cantabrian coast and Atlantic region.
- Temperatures: Mild throughout the year due to the sea’s thermoregulatory effect. No true winter (no month below 5°C). Temperature range: under 15°C.
- Precipitation: High and regular throughout the year, peaking in autumn and spring. Lowest in summer due to the Azores anticyclone. Rainfall between 500 mm (south) and 2000 mm (north). More than 75 rainy days.
2) Mediterranean Climate
- Location: Mediterranean coastline.
- Temperatures: Mild year-round due to the sea’s influence. No true winter, but a distinct summer with maximum temperatures above 20°C. Temperature increases from north to south. Temperature range: less than 20°C.
- Precipitation: Irregular, with a maximum in autumn and a secondary maximum in spring. Absolute minimum in summer due to the Azores High. Southeast areas are drier and hotter due to the Saharan anticyclone. Precipitation decreases southward, ranging between 800 and 300 mm annually.
3) Continental (Mediterranean) Climate
- Location: The interior of the Iberian Peninsula, isolated from maritime influence.
- Temperatures:
There are three climatic subtypes:
- Submeseta highlands (north) and Guadalajara, Teruel, and Cuenca: Cool summers (average temperature <22°C), cold winters (average of coldest month <6°C). Frequent fog and frosts.
- Submeseta and southern edges of the Ebro valley: Hot summers (>22°C), cold winters (less frequent frost).
- Inner Extremadura and Andalusia: Hot summers, mild winters (coldest month between 6°C and 10°C).
- Precipitation: Minimal to moderate. Absolute minimum in summer due to the Azores High. Southeast areas are drier and hotter due to the Saharan anticyclone. Precipitation is lower in the south and center of Castile and the Ebro depressions, but higher in the western sector due to Atlantic storms. Between 800 and 300 mm annually.
4) Dry Mediterranean Climate (Subdesert or Steppe)
- Location: Southeast Peninsula and middle Ebro valley.
- Temperature: Varies with latitude and distance to the sea.
- Southeast Coast: Annual average temperature: 17-18°C. Very mild winters: >10°C.
- Cold interior (east of La Mancha, Albacete) and central Ebro valley: Annual average temperature <17°C, mild or cold winters.
- Precipitation: Very rare: 300-150 mm (steppe character).
- Southeast Coast: Isolated by the Betic Cordillera; exposed to warm, dry air masses from Africa.
- Ebro Valley Center: Wedged between mountains and the Iberian-Catalan coast.
5) Mountain Climate
Mountain climates are characterized by lower temperatures and increased precipitation as rain and snow.
- Location: Areas over 1000 m altitude.
- Temperature: Low annual average, <10°C. Cold winters with precipitation as snow.
- Precipitation: Very abundant, >1000 mm/year.
6) Canary Islands Climate
The Canary Islands have a subtropical climate, modified by several factors:
- Factors:
- Location: Near the tropics and African coast. Dominated by the Azores anticyclone. Prevalence of trade winds (NE), which moderate temperatures. Anticyclone displacement allows Atlantic storms in winter and Saharan air in summer.
- Cold Canary Current: Passes between the islands and the African coastline, cooling surface water and stabilizing the atmosphere.
- Relief: Temperature decreases with altitude. Heavy precipitation and cloudiness on the windward side of the trade winds.
- Features:
- Coastal Areas:
- Precipitation: Western Isles: 300-150 mm (steppe climate). Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, and Gran Canaria: <150 mm (desert climate).
- Temperatures: Warm year-round: >17°C. Very low thermal range: <8°C.
- Medianías (Upland Areas):
- Precipitation: Can reach 1000 mm on windward slopes exposed to the trade winds.
- Temperatures: Decline with altitude.
- Coastal Areas: