Spain - Climate

Due to Spain's geographical situation, the climate is extremely diverse, it can be roughly divided into four areas:

• A Continental Mediterranean climate in the inland areas of the Peninsula.
• A Mediterranean climate region extends from the Andalusian plain along the southern and eastern coasts up to the Pyrenees, on the seaward side of the mountain ranges that run near the coast (largest city, Barcelona). They get warm winds from the Saharas called Leveche, also known as Sirocco.
• An Oceanic climate in Galicia and the coastal strip near the Bay of Biscay or (largest city), Bilbao. This area is often called Green Spain.
• A Subtropical climate in Canary Islands.

Atlantic climate of northern coast. Average temperatures here are 9ªC in winter and 18ªC in summer. This is the wettest part of the peninsula with annual rainfall between 800-1500mm, brought by a successive depressions from the Atlantic, particularly in autumn and winter. Although summers are cooler and wetter here than the rest of Spain, there is a marked summer drought and plenty of warm, sunny weather.

Continental Mediterranean climate of interior central plateau (mesetas). Low temperatures in winter, with temperatures under -15ºC not uncommon, and under -20ºC regularly occurring. Summer an average 24ªC. Annual rainfall under 400mm. Heavy snowfalls in winter.

Mediterranean climate proper. Eastern and southern coast and much of the Guadalquivir Valley . Average temperatures of 11ºC in winter and 23ºC in summer. Annual rainfall between 250 mm and 600 mm.

Subtropical climate. Canary Islands . Average winter temperatures above 14ºC. Average summer temperatures around 22ªC