Spain lies in the temperate zone and its climate is determined by its unusual world position , and by its continental land mass and high mountainous terrain, producing one of the most diverse and varied climates in Europe. The Cantabrian mountains mark the first well-defined climatological division to Spains climate. To the north of this range lies what we may refer to as rainy Spain, this are includes the Basque Country, Cantabria, Asturias and Galicia., with a maritime climate par excellence, with only slight variations in temperature, mild winters and cool summers, an almost constantly cloudy sky and frequent rainfall, although less so during the summer. This climate, which is typical of western Europe, favours a northern European type of vegetation. In terms of surface area, rainy Spain accounts for about a third of the country, while the other two thirds make up dry Spain.

Spain experiences four climatic types: continental, maritime, Mediterranean and Sub tropical . The locally generated continental climate covers the majority of peninsular Spain, influencing the central plains and the adjoining mountains to the east and the south.

A continental climate is characterized by wide diurnal and seasonal variations in temperature and by low, irregular rainfall with high rates of evaporation that leave the land arid. Annual rainfall generally is thirty to sixty-four centimeters; most of the central plains receives about fifty centimeters. The northern Meseta, the Sistema Central, and the Ebro Basin have two rainy seasons, one in spring (April-June) and the other in autumn (October November ), with late spring being the wettest time of the year. In the southern Meseta, also, the wet seasons are spring and autumn, but the spring one is earlier (March), and autumn is the wetter season. Even during the wet seasons, rain is irregular and unreliable. Continental winters are cold, with strong winds and high humidity, despite the low precipitation. Except for mountain areas, the northern foothills of the Sistema Iberico are the coldest area, and frost is common. Summers are warm and cloudless, producing average daytime temperatures that reach 21° C in the northern Meseta and 24 to 27° C in the southern Meseta; night time temperatures range from 7 to 10 C. The Ebro Basin, at a lower altitude, is extremely hot during the summer, and temperatures can exceed 43 C. Summer humidities are low in the Meseta Central and in the Ebro Basin, except right along the shores of in the Rio Ebro where humidity is high.

A maritime climate prevails in the northern part of the country, from the Pyrenees to the northwest region, characterized by relatively mild winters, warm but not hot summers, and generally abundant rainfall spread out over the year. Temperatures vary only slightly, both on a diurnal and a seasonal basis. The moderating effects of the sea, however, abate in the inland areas, where temperatures are 9 to 18 C more extreme than temperatures on the coast. Distance from the Atlantic Ocean also affects precipitation, and there is less rainfall in the east than in the west. Autumn (October through December) is the wettest season, while July is the driest month. The high humidity and the prevailing off-shore winds make fog and mist common along the northwest coast; this phenomenon is less frequent a short distance inland, however, because the mountains form a barrier keeping out the sea moisture.

The Mediterranean climatic 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 parallel the coast. Total rainfall in this region is lower than in the rest of Spain, and it is concentrated in the late autumn-winter period. Generally, rainfall is slight, often insufficient, irregular, and unreliable. Temperatures in the Mediterranean region usually are higher in both summer and winter, and diurnal temperature changes are more limited than those of the continental region. Temperatures in January normally average 10 to 13 C in most of the Mediterranean region, and they are 9 C colder in the north eastern coastal area near Barcelona. In winter, temperatures inland on the Andalusian Plains are slightly lower than those on the coasts. Temperatures in July and August average 22 to 27 C on the coast and 29 to 31 C farther inland, with low humidity. The Mediterranean region is marked by Leveche winds--hot, dry, easterly or south easterly air currents that originate over North Africa. These winds, which sometimes carry fine dust, are most common in spring. A cooler easterly wind, the Levante, funnels between the Penibetico system and the Atlas Mountains of North Africa.

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



Spain's climatic zones range from the snow-peaked Pyrenees and the Sierra Nevada to the sun-baked semi-desert of the high central plain and Almería. In Northern Spain, there is a great deal of climatic variation (both regionally and seasonally). Green Spain, which stretches from the Basque country along the Atlantic seaboard through Cantabria and Asturias to Galicia, is obviously named because it rains a lot (so take waterproofs, umbrellas and suitable footwear - even in summer). Bilbao and Santiago are renowned for being very rainy and the pasture-clad hills are often swathed in mist. Winters in the north and northwest can be very wet, and it may even snow. Summers, on the contrary, have lavish measures of sunshine and warmth everywhere, increasing in intensity as you travel inland and cross the mountains of the Cordillera Cantabrica.

The north is, therefore, an ideal destination for a summer beach holiday. There are hundreds of beautiful coves and beaches (many sheltered and backed by green fields), as well as seaside resorts that have long been popular among Spaniards in the hot season. In Central Spain, the climate is continental, with baking hot summers and quite cold winters. The southern Meseta is also exceedingly dry; Madrid has a relatively temperate climate. In autumn and spring, both extremely pleasant seasons, average temperatures range from 12-15°C (54-60°F), with a spread of 6°C (43°F) minimum, to 21°C (70°F) maximum. Summer and winter are more extreme. In summer, the temperature rises as high as 40°C (104°F), although mountain breezes can make the evenings slightly cooler. The average winter temperature is 5°C (41°F), although it can drop below 0°C (32°F) in January, the most unsettled month of the year. You'll need to bring your winter coat and although it does not rain often (with an annual rainfall of about 438mm per year), the wettest months are January-April. In Eastern Spain, Catalonia has a climate as varied as its geography. In Andorra and the Pyrenees the temperature can drop to below freezing in winter (it is almost certain they do so). North of the Costa Brava, winds apparently generate out of nowhere and last for several days. But a little further south the climate is more reliable, with little rain in summer. The average temperature in coastal resorts is 25°C (77°F) in summer and 11°C (52°F) in winter.

Inland it can be much hotter and spring and autumn may be preferred by visitors. In Southern Spain, Andalusia's position at the southern edge of Europe gives it a privileged climate. Summers are hot and winters generally mild. However, there are considerable variations due to the size of the region, its mountainous character and the fact that it is bordered by both the Atlantic and Mediterranean. Summers can be extremely hot in the interior, with temperatures rising to 45°C (113°F) and even higher in the provinces of Seville and Cordoba. Almeria has an extremely arid, desert-like climate. Snow covers the Sierra Nevada from November to June and frost is common in upland areas. The Levante wind has considerable influence, often blowing hard for days on the Cadiz coast and creating a persistent cloud over the Rock of Gibraltar. June to October are usually dry months, except for sporadic torrential downpours. Heavy rain in the winter months is usually interspersed with brilliant sunshine. The Canary Islands, experience a subtropical climate and mild temperatures all year round (an average of 24ºC). Winter/summer temperatures range on average from 17-23°C (64-74°F) in Tenerife, or 16-22°C (62-72°F) in Gran Canaria.

The more mountainous zones of Tenerife, La Palma and Gran Canaria result in abundant rain in winter, which is responsible for the beautiful landscape, in direct contrast to the other drier and more desert-like islands. The Balearic Islands, have more or less the same weather conditions, with local variations caused by phenomena such as Mallorca's high mountain ranges. The Balearics' average high temperature is 21.2°C (70°F), average low 13.8°C (57°F), and the sun shines annually to an average 59 percent. Rainfall in Mahon, Menorca, is 580mm (23 inches) a year, while that in Palma, Mallorca, only reaches 480mm (19 inches).