What is the climate in Spain in summer and in winter?

Unpleasantly, having appeared on the desired resort, to find out that you are not dressed in the weather. And it would be nice if the suitcase is full of warm things, and it's hot outside. Then these clothes can not be worn. Worse, if you count on warmth, and on arrival you get a "cold welcome". In this article, we will describe the climate in Spain. Many people consider this European country very hot. And they are not far from the truth, when it comes to the summer months and the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. But still Spain is not the Dominican Republic and not Thailand. The country is located in Europe, although in its southern part. It should also be remembered that Spain is by no means a dwarfish state. Therefore, we need to talk about regional differences in weather conditions. Below you will learn about what the climate in different parts of Spain is by seasons.

What forms the weather conditions

As in other countries, the main role here is played by latitude, that is, remoteness from the equator. And in this Spain was lucky. It is located about 40 degrees north latitude. Therefore, the climate of Spain can be briefly described as subtropical, with a fairly warm winter and a moderately hot summer. An important factor in shaping the climate for all countries of Western Europe is the Gulf Stream. This warm current arises in the Caribbean, at equatorial latitudes. In winter, the Gulf Stream warms the air, providing soft weather. Winds, depending on their direction, can bring cold or, conversely, heat. And finally, altitude zonality. There are many mountains on the Iberian Peninsula . This terrain is conditioned by the fact that the interior regions of Spain almost do not feel the influence of the Gulf Stream. The higher the area, the lower the average temperature. In winter, snow falls in the mountains of Spain, ski resorts work.

The water area

The country is located on a fairly large peninsula. It is washed by the Bay of Biscay in the Atlantic Ocean (in the north) and the Mediterranean (in the south). These two water areas have a huge impact on the climate of Spain. The Atlantic Ocean, despite the Gulf Stream, is always cool. In winter, it heats the air masses. But the water temperature in the Atlantic off the coast of Europe rarely rises above +20 ° C. Therefore, the beaches of Costa Verde are only for hardened. On the contrary, the Mediterranean Sea warms up well. But there is a nuance here too. Its maximum temperatures this water area reaches in August. During this period, tourists will have a fabulous vacation - the air warms up to +30, and the water - up to +26 degrees. On the other side of the Mediterranean Sea lies the African coast. In summer, and sometimes in winter, a dry and hot sirocco wind blows from there. The water areas soften seasonal temperature amplitudes. So, on the Canary Islands that belong to Spain, the thermometer does not drop below +15 ° C.

Atlantic coast

Of course, we can say that Spain has a Mediterranean climate. But with respect to the Atlantic coast this claim can be challenged. The cool ocean quite significantly lowers the average annual temperature of such provinces as Galicia, Basque Country, Asturias, Navarre and Cantabria. In a small region of Rioja, wet winds, but already weakened strength, still reach. Nevertheless, they disperse the heat. And this creates a wonderful climate for winemaking. Rioja for Spain means approximately the same as Champagne or Burgundy for France. In general, on the coast of the Bay of Biscay, the climate is mild and very humid. The amount of precipitation reaches 2000 mm on the northern slopes of the mountains, in other regions this figure is 1070 mm. The Gulf Stream increases winter temperatures, but also brings fogs and drizzling rain. And in the summer months, the Atlantic cools the air. On the northern coast of the country in July it warms up to +25 ^о С, which is rather small given the breadth of the terrain.

Coast of the Mediterranean Sea

This water area also has a big impact on the climate of Spain. But there are also some nuances. The Mediterranean Sea is internal, surrounded on all sides by continents. Only the narrow Strait of Gibraltar connects it with the Atlantic. Therefore, in the summer the Mediterranean Sea is very heated, which makes it possible to develop beach resorts on the coast. Water, as is known, stores heat longer than air. Therefore, the Mediterranean Sea, which has warmed over the summer, softens the winters. Even in January (the coldest month) in Catalonia, Valencia and Murcia, the thermometer does not fall below +12 ... +15 ^о С. And in Andalusia - the southernmost region of the country - in winter and at +18 degrees. But this temperature regime leads to a lot of rains. It can be said that the lion's share of precipitation falls precisely in the winter.

Spain's climate in the central regions

The mountain chains of the Iberian peninsula cover the territories from penetration of wet sea winds. Therefore, already a hundred kilometers from the coast, there is an extremely dry continental climate with scant vegetation. In such provinces as Castilla and Leon, La Mancha and Extremadura, there are large temperature differences over the seasons. In summer it is very hot here. Winter in the interior regions of Spain is characterized by low temperatures and a cold gusty wind. It may even snow. And in the mountains the fluffy white cover lies until the spring. But, despite the signs of the continental climate, it can not be called typical Siberian. After all, the bulk of precipitation falls here in the summer. They, however, not very much. The Castilian plateau of precipitation falls just 500 mm per year. In the mountains there are also frosts to minus eight degrees. This region is also characterized by large diurnal temperature amplitudes. The day can be very hot, but with the onset of the evening begins to rapidly cool. The temperature drops from +32 to +15 ° C.

Spain: the climate in winter and summer

So, what advice can we give to a tourist traveling to this country? If you have a chance to see the sights of Madrid in winter, then take a warm coat with you. Temperatures in January in this region can be compared with the North French. At the ski resorts of Spain and at all reigns winter - with a light frost and a lot of snow. But do not forget about the insidious sun of the south. Even in winter, you need a cream that protects from the excess of ultraviolet rays. The climate in Spain is hot in summer in the central regions and on the Mediterranean coast. The resorts of the north of the country will suit those vacationers who do not tolerate heat well. The best time to visit the cultural attractions of Spain is the off season.