Climate of Spain
The climate of Spain is highly diverse and varies considerably across the country's various regions. Spain is the most climatically diverse country in Europe with 13 different Köppen climates.[1][2][3]
The four most dominant climates in the country include: The
The average annual temperature in the mainland varies from less than 2.5 °C (36.5 °F) in the north of the Pyrenees, close to the border with France, to more than 20 °C (68 °F). on a small region of Mediterranean coast on Almeria and Granada provinces.[5][6] The annual average precipitation ranges from more than 2,200 millimetres (87 in) on the northwest of Galicia and in the Pyrenees near San Sebastian to less than 200 millimetres (7.9 in) in southeastern Spain in Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park.[7]
In the Canary Islands, annual average temperature varies from less than 10 °C (50 °F) in the highest altitude area of Santa Cruz de Tenerife to more than 21 °C (70 °F) on lower areas of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, while the average annual precipitation ranges from more than 1,000 millimetres (39 in) on the highest altitudes of La Palma to less than 100 millimetres (3.9 in) in parts of Lanzarote and Fuerteventura.[7]
Spain, like other countries of the Mediterranean Basin, is vulnerable to climate change, with greater risk of heatwaves and dry weather.
Zones
Five main climatic zones can be distinguished, according to the country's Köppen-Geiger climate classification and orographic conditions:[8][9][10]
- The hot-summer Mediterranean climate (Csa) which is also characterized by dry and warm/hot summers and cool to mild and wet winters. According to the Köppen climate classification, this climate is dominant on the Iberian Peninsula, particularly the variety with summer droughts, covering all but the far northern part of the country where the Oceanic climate predominates. The hot-summer Mediterranean climate is further divided into the "Standard Mediterranean" of lowland regions and continental Mediterranean climate of the interior, according to altitude and the mildness or harshness of the winter season. The Standard Mediterranean covers coastal areas (excluding the northern Atlantic coast) the Guadalquivir river basin and the lower reaches of the Tagus and Guadiana basins to the west of the country. The continental Mediterranean climate predominates in Spain's vast table lands, Meseta Central, of the interior.
- The masl.
- The steppe climate (BSh and BSk) is predominant in the south eastern part of the country (Almeria province in Eastern Andalusia, Murcia region and Alicante province in Southern Valencia) and in the middle reaches of the Ebrovalley to the north east (Zaragoza province), reaching as far west as southern Navarre. It is also present in large areas of the central table lands (primarily in Madrid and in the La Mancha region which includes parts of Cuenca, Guadalajara, and Toledo provinces) and some of the driest areas of Extremadura. In contrast to the Mediterranean climate, the sunny season continues beyond the end of summer and the vegetation is less dense.
- The oceanic climate (Cfb) is located in the northern part of the country, especially in the regions of Galicia, Basque Country, Asturias, Cantabria, and Navarre. This region has regular snowfall in the winter months.
Apart from the four main climate zones, other noticeable sub-zones can be found, such as the
Hot summer Mediterranean climate
The
Climate data for Málaga Airport (AGP), Churriana (1981–2010), Extremes (1942–present) | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
Record high °C (°F) | 26.8 (80.2) |
30.0 (86.0) |
31.4 (88.5) |
33.0 (91.4) |
35.0 (95.0) |
41.0 (105.8) |
44.2 (111.6) |
44.0 (111.2) |
40.0 (104.0) |
36.3 (97.3) |
30.4 (86.7) |
29.9 (85.8) |
44.2 (111.6) |
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 16.8 (62.2) |
17.7 (63.9) |
19.6 (67.3) |
21.4 (70.5) |
24.3 (75.7) |
28.1 (82.6) |
30.5 (86.9) |
30.8 (87.4) |
28.2 (82.8) |
24.1 (75.4) |
20.1 (68.2) |
17.5 (63.5) |
23.3 (73.9) |
Daily mean °C (°F) | 12.1 (53.8) |
12.9 (55.2) |
14.7 (58.5) |
16.3 (61.3) |
19.3 (66.7) |
23.0 (73.4) |
25.5 (77.9) |
26.0 (78.8) |
23.5 (74.3) |
19.5 (67.1) |
15.7 (60.3) |
13.2 (55.8) |
18.5 (65.3) |
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 7.4 (45.3) |
8.2 (46.8) |
9.8 (49.6) |
11.1 (52.0) |
14.2 (57.6) |
18.0 (64.4) |
20.5 (68.9) |
21.1 (70.0) |
18.8 (65.8) |
15.0 (59.0) |
11.3 (52.3) |
8.9 (48.0) |
13.7 (56.7) |
Record low °C (°F) | −2.6 (27.3) |
−3.8 (25.2) |
−1.2 (29.8) |
2.8 (37.0) |
5.0 (41.0) |
12.8 (55.0) |
14.0 (57.2) |
15.2 (59.4) |
10.2 (50.4) |
5.6 (42.1) |
1.4 (34.5) |
−0.8 (30.6) |
−3.8 (25.2) |
Average precipitation mm (inches) | 69 (2.7) |
60 (2.4) |
52 (2.0) |
44 (1.7) |
20 (0.8) |
6 (0.2) |
0 (0) |
6 (0.2) |
20 (0.8) |
57 (2.2) |
100 (3.9) |
100 (3.9) |
534 (21.0) |
Average precipitation days (≥ 1 mm) | 6 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 7 | 42 |
Average relative humidity (%)
|
69 | 68 | 67 | 63 | 59 | 58 | 58 | 61 | 65 | 70 | 71 | 72 | 65 |
Mean monthly sunshine hours | 180 | 180 | 222 | 244 | 292 | 329 | 347 | 316 | 255 | 215 | 172 | 160 | 2,905 |
Source: |
Warm summer Mediterranean climate
The Csb
.It is characterised by year-round mild temperatures with drier summer months, often resulting in moderate drought conditions with at least one month per year usually recording less than 40 mm (1.6 in). This is a characteristic which distinguishes Galicia from a typical Cfb climate. Annual rainfall is higher than in the eastern and southern regions, usually ranging from 800 to 2,000 mm (31.5 to 78.7 in).[14] Not all Galicia has a Csb climate, most of the north and central mountains have a typical oceanic Cfb. Some valleys in the south are classified as Hot-summer Mediterranean (Csa), like the comarca of O Condado, the city of Ourense or O Ribeiro.[15]
In North-West Castile, the climate is classified also as Csb because the temperatures of summer are cooler due to the altitude.
Climate data for A Coruña 58 metres (190 feet) above sea level (1981–2010)
| |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
Record high °C (°F) | 23.1 (73.6) |
27.4 (81.3) |
28.2 (82.8) |
31.6 (88.9) |
34.0 (93.2) |
34.8 (94.6) |
34.5 (94.1) |
39.6 (103.3) |
31.4 (88.5) |
31.5 (88.7) |
25.0 (77.0) |
25.6 (78.1) |
39.6 (103.3) |
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 13.5 (56.3) |
14.1 (57.4) |
15.5 (59.9) |
16.2 (61.2) |
18.1 (64.6) |
20.6 (69.1) |
22.1 (71.8) |
22.8 (73.0) |
22.0 (71.6) |
19.1 (66.4) |
16.0 (60.8) |
14.1 (57.4) |
17.8 (64.0) |
Daily mean °C (°F) | 10.8 (51.4) |
11.1 (52.0) |
12.4 (54.3) |
13.0 (55.4) |
15.0 (59.0) |
17.4 (63.3) |
19.0 (66.2) |
19.6 (67.3) |
18.6 (65.5) |
16.1 (61.0) |
13.3 (55.9) |
11.5 (52.7) |
14.8 (58.6) |
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 8.1 (46.6) |
8.0 (46.4) |
9.2 (48.6) |
9.9 (49.8) |
12.0 (53.6) |
14.3 (57.7) |
15.9 (60.6) |
16.4 (61.5) |
15.2 (59.4) |
13.0 (55.4) |
10.5 (50.9) |
8.9 (48.0) |
11.8 (53.2) |
Record low °C (°F) | −2.0 (28.4) |
−2.9 (26.8) |
0.6 (33.1) |
2.0 (35.6) |
2.2 (36.0) |
4.2 (39.6) |
9.9 (49.8) |
9.4 (48.9) |
5.2 (41.4) |
4.0 (39.2) |
1.0 (33.8) |
−1.0 (30.2) |
−2.9 (26.8) |
Average precipitation mm (inches) | 112 (4.4) |
88 (3.5) |
75 (3.0) |
88 (3.5) |
75 (3.0) |
44 (1.7) |
34 (1.3) |
35 (1.4) |
64 (2.5) |
130 (5.1) |
138 (5.4) |
131 (5.2) |
1,014 (39.9) |
Average precipitation days | 14 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 11 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 8 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 130 |
Mean monthly sunshine hours | 102 | 121 | 160 | 175 | 201 | 225 | 239 | 244 | 192 | 149 | 108 | 94 | 2,010 |
Source: Agencia Estatal de Meteorología[16]
|
Oceanic climate
An
Temperatures vary only slightly, both on a diurnal and a seasonal basis, and averages range from 9 °C (48.2 °F) in January to 21 °C (69.8 °F) in July. The moderating effects of the sea are less prominent further inland, where temperatures are more extreme than those on the coast. Distance from the Atlantic Ocean also has an effect on precipitation levels, so there is less rainfall in the east than in the west. Autumn (October to 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 north west coast; this phenomenon is less frequent a short distance inland because the mountains form a barrier to the maritime moisture.
Climate data for Bilbao airport: 1981–2010 normals, 1947-2022 extremes | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
Record high °C (°F) | 24.9 (76.8) |
26.8 (80.2) |
29.8 (85.6) |
33.1 (91.6) |
36.0 (96.8) |
41.2 (106.2) |
42.0 (107.6) |
41.9 (107.4) |
41.7 (107.1) |
33.4 (92.1) |
27.6 (81.7) |
24.7 (76.5) |
42.0 (107.6) |
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 13.4 (56.1) |
14.3 (57.7) |
16.5 (61.7) |
17.6 (63.7) |
20.8 (69.4) |
23.4 (74.1) |
25.4 (77.7) |
26.0 (78.8) |
24.6 (76.3) |
21.4 (70.5) |
16.6 (61.9) |
13.9 (57.0) |
19.5 (67.1) |
Daily mean °C (°F) | 9.3 (48.7) |
9.7 (49.5) |
11.5 (52.7) |
12.6 (54.7) |
15.7 (60.3) |
18.4 (65.1) |
20.4 (68.7) |
20.9 (69.6) |
19.2 (66.6) |
16.4 (61.5) |
12.4 (54.3) |
9.9 (49.8) |
14.7 (58.5) |
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 5.1 (41.2) |
5.1 (41.2) |
6.4 (43.5) |
7.6 (45.7) |
10.6 (51.1) |
13.4 (56.1) |
15.4 (59.7) |
15.7 (60.3) |
13.8 (56.8) |
11.4 (52.5) |
8.2 (46.8) |
5.9 (42.6) |
9.9 (49.8) |
Record low °C (°F) | −7.6 (18.3) |
−8.6 (16.5) |
−5.0 (23.0) |
−1.2 (29.8) |
0.4 (32.7) |
3.6 (38.5) |
6.6 (43.9) |
6.8 (44.2) |
3.8 (38.8) |
0.6 (33.1) |
−6.2 (20.8) |
−7.4 (18.7) |
−8.6 (16.5) |
Average precipitation mm (inches) | 120 (4.7) |
86 (3.4) |
90 (3.5) |
107 (4.2) |
78 (3.1) |
60 (2.4) |
50 (2.0) |
76 (3.0) |
73 (2.9) |
111 (4.4) |
147 (5.8) |
122 (4.8) |
1,134 (44.6) |
Average precipitation days | 13 | 11 | 11 | 13 | 11 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 11 | 13 | 12 | 124 |
Average snowy days | 0.7 | 0.7 | 0.3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.1 | 0.3 | 2.1 |
Average relative humidity (%)
|
72 | 69 | 68 | 69 | 69 | 70 | 71 | 72 | 71 | 71 | 73 | 72 | 71 |
Mean monthly sunshine hours | 85 | 97 | 132 | 138 | 169 | 180 | 186 | 179 | 160 | 126 | 88 | 78 | 1,610 |
Source 1: Agencia Estatal de Meteorología[17]
| |||||||||||||
Source 2: |
Humid subtropical climate
The humid subtropical climate exists in large areas of north-eastern Spain, mostly in the northern half of Catalonia and the province of Huesca. This climate is also found across northern Navarra and the northern areas of the province of Guadalajara. The largest city with this climate in Spain is Girona.
Climate data for Girona Airport, 1981-2010 normals, extremes 1973-present | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
Record high °C (°F) | 23.8 (74.8) |
25.5 (77.9) |
29.0 (84.2) |
30.2 (86.4) |
37.3 (99.1) |
43.0 (109.4) |
41.3 (106.3) |
41.2 (106.2) |
37.0 (98.6) |
33.1 (91.6) |
30.0 (86.0) |
22.5 (72.5) |
43.0 (109.4) |
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 13.1 (55.6) |
14.1 (57.4) |
16.7 (62.1) |
18.8 (65.8) |
22.4 (72.3) |
26.6 (79.9) |
30.1 (86.2) |
29.8 (85.6) |
26.1 (79.0) |
21.8 (71.2) |
16.6 (61.9) |
13.6 (56.5) |
20.8 (69.5) |
Daily mean °C (°F) | 7.1 (44.8) |
7.9 (46.2) |
10.4 (50.7) |
12.5 (54.5) |
16.3 (61.3) |
20.4 (68.7) |
23.6 (74.5) |
23.4 (74.1) |
20.1 (68.2) |
16.2 (61.2) |
10.9 (51.6) |
7.8 (46.0) |
14.7 (58.5) |
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 1.1 (34.0) |
1.7 (35.1) |
4.1 (39.4) |
6.2 (43.2) |
10.1 (50.2) |
14.3 (57.7) |
17.1 (62.8) |
17.0 (62.6) |
14.1 (57.4) |
10.5 (50.9) |
5.2 (41.4) |
2.0 (35.6) |
8.6 (47.5) |
Record low °C (°F) | −13.0 (8.6) |
−8.2 (17.2) |
−5.8 (21.6) |
−3.0 (26.6) |
0.6 (33.1) |
5.1 (41.2) |
8.0 (46.4) |
8.4 (47.1) |
4.6 (40.3) |
−2.0 (28.4) |
−7.0 (19.4) |
−9.4 (15.1) |
−13.0 (8.6) |
Average precipitation mm (inches) | 62 (2.4) |
51 (2.0) |
50 (2.0) |
67 (2.6) |
71 (2.8) |
60 (2.4) |
32 (1.3) |
46 (1.8) |
70 (2.8) |
88 (3.5) |
70 (2.8) |
56 (2.2) |
728 (28.7) |
Average precipitation days (≥ 1 mm) | 4.9 | 4.9 | 5.1 | 7.1 | 7.3 | 5.1 | 3.2 | 5.1 | 6.5 | 6.4 | 5.2 | 4.7 | 65.8 |
Average relative humidity (%)
|
75 | 73 | 70 | 69 | 68 | 63 | 59 | 65 | 70 | 75 | 76 | 76 | 71 |
Mean monthly sunshine hours | 147 | 156 | 179 | 194 | 224 | 247 | 285 | 261 | 195 | 143 | 132 | 132 | 2,295 |
Source: |
Semi-arid climates
The
Climate data for Murcia (1984–2010), extremes (1984–) | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
Record high °C (°F) | 27.8 (82.0) |
29.4 (84.9) |
33.6 (92.5) |
37.4 (99.3) |
41.0 (105.8) |
42.5 (108.5) |
46.2 (115.2) |
43.2 (109.8) |
44.6 (112.3) |
34.9 (94.8) |
31.0 (87.8) |
27.3 (81.1) |
46.2 (115.2) |
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 16.6 (61.9) |
18.4 (65.1) |
20.9 (69.6) |
23.3 (73.9) |
26.6 (79.9) |
31.0 (87.8) |
34.0 (93.2) |
34.2 (93.6) |
30.4 (86.7) |
25.6 (78.1) |
20.3 (68.5) |
17.2 (63.0) |
24.9 (76.8) |
Daily mean °C (°F) | 10.6 (51.1) |
12.2 (54.0) |
14.3 (57.7) |
16.5 (61.7) |
20.0 (68.0) |
24.2 (75.6) |
27.2 (81.0) |
27.6 (81.7) |
24.2 (75.6) |
19.8 (67.6) |
14.6 (58.3) |
11.5 (52.7) |
18.6 (65.5) |
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 4.7 (40.5) |
5.9 (42.6) |
7.7 (45.9) |
9.7 (49.5) |
13.3 (55.9) |
17.4 (63.3) |
20.3 (68.5) |
20.9 (69.6) |
18.0 (64.4) |
13.9 (57.0) |
8.9 (48.0) |
5.8 (42.4) |
12.3 (54.1) |
Record low °C (°F) | −7.5 (18.5) |
−3.9 (25.0) |
−2.4 (27.7) |
0.0 (32.0) |
4.0 (39.2) |
8.0 (46.4) |
13.0 (55.4) |
14.0 (57.2) |
9.6 (49.3) |
4.4 (39.9) |
−1.0 (30.2) |
−6.0 (21.2) |
−7.5 (18.5) |
Average precipitation mm (inches) | 27 (1.1) |
27 (1.1) |
30 (1.2) |
25 (1.0) |
28 (1.1) |
18 (0.7) |
3 (0.1) |
8 (0.3) |
32 (1.3) |
36 (1.4) |
32 (1.3) |
29 (1.1) |
297 (11.7) |
Average precipitation days (≥ 1 mm) | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 37 |
Average relative humidity (%)
|
65 | 63 | 59 | 53 | 52 | 49 | 50 | 54 | 59 | 64 | 65 | 68 | 58 |
Mean monthly sunshine hours | 189 | 190 | 223 | 256 | 289 | 323 | 353 | 317 | 239 | 217 | 186 | 172 | 2,967 |
Source: |
Desert climate
The
Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Record high °C (°F) | 24.4 (75.9) |
25.2 (77.4) |
32.4 (90.3) |
30.6 (87.1) |
36.3 (97.3) |
40.8 (105.4) |
41.6 (106.9) |
42.0 (107.6) |
37.6 (99.7) |
34.4 (93.9) |
29.0 (84.2) |
27.7 (81.9) |
42.0 (107.6) |
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 16.9 (62.4) |
17.6 (63.7) |
19.6 (67.3) |
21.4 (70.5) |
24.1 (75.4) |
27.9 (82.2) |
30.5 (86.9) |
31.0 (87.8) |
28.4 (83.1) |
24.5 (76.1) |
20.5 (68.9) |
17.9 (64.2) |
23.4 (74.1) |
Daily mean °C (°F) | 12.6 (54.7) |
13.3 (55.9) |
15.1 (59.2) |
17.0 (62.6) |
19.7 (67.5) |
23.5 (74.3) |
26.1 (79.0) |
26.7 (80.1) |
24.2 (75.6) |
20.4 (68.7) |
16.4 (61.5) |
13.8 (56.8) |
19.1 (66.4) |
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 8.3 (46.9) |
9.0 (48.2) |
10.6 (51.1) |
12.5 (54.5) |
15.3 (59.5) |
18.9 (66.0) |
21.7 (71.1) |
22.4 (72.3) |
20.0 (68.0) |
16.3 (61.3) |
12.3 (54.1) |
9.6 (49.3) |
14.7 (58.5) |
Record low °C (°F) | 0.1 (32.2) |
1.0 (33.8) |
1.0 (33.8) |
6.0 (42.8) |
8.4 (47.1) |
10.4 (50.7) |
12.0 (53.6) |
14.8 (58.6) |
10.1 (50.2) |
3.4 (38.1) |
3.1 (37.6) |
2.0 (35.6) |
0.1 (32.2) |
Average precipitation mm (inches) | 24 (0.9) |
25 (1.0) |
16 (0.6) |
17 (0.7) |
12 (0.5) |
5 (0.2) |
1 (0.0) |
1 (0.0) |
14 (0.6) |
27 (1.1) |
28 (1.1) |
30 (1.2) |
200 (7.9) |
Average precipitation days (≥ 1 mm) | 2.9 | 2.9 | 2.6 | 2.6 | 1.9 | 0.6 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 1.5 | 2.8 | 3.6 | 3.3 | 25.4 |
Average relative humidity (%)
|
67 | 67 | 65 | 62 | 63 | 61 | 60 | 63 | 65 | 68 | 67 | 67 | 65 |
Average dew point °C (°F) | 7 (45) |
7 (45) |
9 (48) |
10 (50) |
13 (55) |
16 (61) |
18 (64) |
20 (68) |
18 (64) |
15 (59) |
10 (50) |
8 (46) |
13 (55) |
Mean monthly sunshine hours | 194 | 191 | 232 | 261 | 297 | 325 | 342 | 315 | 256 | 218 | 183 | 178 | 2,994 |
Mean daily daylight hours | 10.5 | 11.3 | 12.4 | 13.6 | 14.6 | 15.2 | 14.9 | 14 | 12.8 | 11.7 | 10.7 | 10.2 | 12.7 |
Source 1: | |||||||||||||
Source 2: Time and Date (dewpoints, between 1985−2015)[34] Weatherbase(length of day)[35] |
Other types
Besides the above three major climate zones, there are four other climate types in Spain:
- The mountainous climate is present in the Picos de Europa, Sistema Central, Sistema Ibérico, Pyrenees and Sierra Nevada, qualified as an Alpine climate, Spain's major mountain systems.
- The low-lying areas of the Canary Islands have influences of laurisilva. The easternmost islands are arid with Saharan climate moderated by the Atlantic Ocean.
The southernmost coast of Spain (Málaga and Granada's coastal strip) has the warmest winters across Europe, with very sunny and mostly warm days with total absence of winter frosts allowing for the prolific cultivation of tropical fruits such as mango, papaya, cherimoya, pitaya and the carambola, amongst others.[37] The benign winter, with minimum night temperatures in January rarely falling below 5 °C (46 °F) is due to the microclimate created by the Sierra Nevada mountains to the north of this coastal strip, preventing cooler north winds from reaching the area.
Parts of the south East coast also have a
Percentage of predominant climates and diversity
According to AEMET, the climate in Spain is extremely diverse, due to its very diverse orography. In total, there are 13 Köppen climate types in Spain, with the polar tundra type (ET) becoming extinct from the period 1981-2010. These are the climates that are found in majority of Spain:
- Mediterranean climate (Cs): Predominates the country and occupies around 60.2% of the territory. It is characterized by dry (warm or hot) summers and mild, rainy winters. The hot summer (Csa) is more extensive compared to the warm summer (Csb).
- Semi-arid climate (Bs): It is present in a significant part, occupying around 21.3% of the country. It is predominant in the southeast, but also in a significant portion of the country's interior, such as the Meseta Central. The cold semi-arid (BSk) is much more extensive than the hot semi-arid (BSh). However, the hot semi-arid still occupies more than 1% of the territory, which is significant compared to continental climates that occupy a smaller percentage. Spain has the largest semi-arid areas on the European continent.
- Temperate climate without dry season (Cf): The oceanic climate (Cfb) and the humid subtropical (Cfa) also occupy a significant portion, although in a smaller percentage. Around 17.4% has the Cf climate, with the oceanic climate accounting for around 13% and the humid subtropical climate accounting for around 4.4%. It is predominant in the north of Spain, with mild winters and warm summers (or hot in the case of Cfa) and it is rainy throughout the year.
In addition to these, the
Canary Islands
In the Canary Islands, arid and semi-arid climates predominate, but there is also a significant portion with a mediterranean climate:
- Desert climate (BW): It occupies around 48.1% of the territory, with the hot arid (BWh) being significantly more extensive than the cold arid (BWk).
- Semi-arid climate (Bs): It occupies around 21.4%, with the hot semi-arid (BSh) being more extensive than the cold semi-arid (BSk).
- Mediterranean climate (Cs): Occupies around 30.5%, with the warm summer Mediterranean (Csb) being more extensive than the hot summer Mediterranean (Csa).
It is also present extremely small areas that have a dry summer continental climate (Ds).[39]
Climate change
Climate change has caused temperatures in the world to rise in the last few decades, and temperatures in Europe have risen twice as fast as the average change in the rest of the world.[40] In Spain, which already has a hot and dry climate, extreme events such as heatwaves are becoming increasingly frequent.[41][42] The country is also experiencing more episodes of drought and increased severity of these episodes.[43] Water resources will be severely affected in various climate change scenarios.[44]
To mitigate the
Temperature averages for Spanish mainland cities
Atlantic (Northern) Spain
Location | Coldest month |
April | Warmest month |
October |
---|---|---|---|---|
A Coruña | 13.5 / 8.1 (56.3 / 46.6) |
16.2 / 9.9 (61.2 / 49.8) |
22.8 / 16.4 (73.0 / 61.5) |
19.1 / 13.0 (66.4 / 55.4) |
Bilbao | 13.4 / 5.1 (56.1 / 41.2) |
17.6 / 7.6 (63.7 / 45.7) |
26.0 / 15.7 (78.8 / 60.3) |
21.4 / 11.4 (70.5 / 52.5) |
Gijón | 13.1 / 4.7 (55.6 / 40.5) |
15.6 / 8.1 (60.1 / 46.6) |
23.2 / 16.2 (73.8 / 61.2) |
19.0 / 11.0 (66.2 / 51.8) |
Oviedo | 12.0 / 4.6 (53.6 / 40.3) |
15.7 / 6.8 (60.3 / 44.2) |
23.3 / 14.8 (73.9 / 58.6) |
18.7 / 10.4 (65.7 / 50.7) |
Santander | 13.6 / 5.8 (56.5 / 42.4) |
16.6 / 8.3 (61.9 / 46.9) |
24.2 / 16.4 (75.6 / 61.5) |
20.3 / 11.8 (68.5 / 53.2) |
Vigo | 11.9 / 5.4 (53.4 / 41.7) |
16.6 / 8.2 (61.9 / 46.8) |
24.7 / 15.0 (76.5 / 59.0) |
18.8 / 11.2 (65.8 / 52.2) |
Vitoria | 8.7 / 1.2 (47.7 / 34.2) |
15.4 / 4.1 (59.7 / 39.4) |
25.9 / 12.5 (78.6 / 54.5) |
18.3 / 7.5 (64.9 / 45.5) |
Continental Spain
Location | Coldest month |
April | Warmest month |
October |
---|---|---|---|---|
Albacete | 10.5 / −0.2 (50.9 / 31.6) |
18.4 / 5.4 (65.1 / 41.7) |
33.2 / 16.9 (91.8 / 62.4) |
24.9 / 14.5 (76.8 / 58.1) |
Córdoba
|
14.9 / 3.6 (58.8 / 38.5) |
22.8 / 9.3 (73.0 / 48.7) |
36.9 / 19.0 (98.4 / 66.2) |
25.1 / 13.0 (77.2 / 55.4) |
Madrid | 9.8 / 2.7 (49.6 / 36.9) |
18.2 / 7.7 (64.8 / 45.9) |
32.1 / 19.0 (89.8 / 66.2) |
19.4 / 10.7 (66.9 / 51.3) |
Murcia | 16.6 / 4.7 (61.9 / 40.5) |
23.3 / 9.7 (73.9 / 49.5) |
34.2 / 20.9 (93.6 / 69.6) |
25.6 / 13.9 (78.1 / 57.0) |
Seville | 16.0 / 5.7 (60.8 / 42.3) |
23.4 / 11.1 (74.1 / 52.0) |
36.0 / 20.3 (96.8 / 68.5) |
26.0 / 14.4 (78.8 / 57.9) |
Valladolid | 8.2 / 0.2 (46.8 / 32.4) |
16.9 / 4.6 (62.4 / 40.3) |
30.7 / 14.0 (87.3 / 57.2) |
18.9 / 7.6 (66.0 / 45.7) |
Zaragoza | 10.5 / 2.7 (50.9 / 36.9) |
19.6 / 7.9 (67.3 / 46.2) |
32.4 / 18.3 (90.3 / 64.9) |
21.4 / 11.0 (70.5 / 51.8) |
Mediterranean Spain
Location | Coldest month |
April | Warmest month |
October |
---|---|---|---|---|
Alicante | 17.0 / 6.7 (62.6 / 44.1) |
21.3 / 10.9 (70.3 / 51.6) |
30.8 / 21.5 (87.4 / 70.7) |
24.9 / 14.9 (76.8 / 58.8) |
Almería | 16.9 / 8.3 (62.4 / 46.9) |
21.4 / 12.5 (70.5 / 54.5) |
31.0 / 22.4 (87.8 / 72.3) |
24.5 / 16.3 (76.1 / 61.3) |
Barcelona | 14.8 / 8.8 (58.6 / 47.8) |
19.1 / 12.5 (66.4 / 54.5) |
29.0 / 23.1 (84.2 / 73.6) |
22.5 / 16.5 (72.5 / 61.7) |
Castellón | 15.3 / 5.8 (59.5 / 42.4) |
20.5 / 10.3 (68.9 / 50.5) |
30.3 / 20.9 (86.5 / 69.6) |
23.5 / 14.4 (74.3 / 57.9) |
Málaga | 16.8 / 7.4 (62.2 / 45.3) |
21.4 / 11.1 (70.5 / 52.0) |
30.8 / 21.1 (87.4 / 70.0) |
24.1 / 15.0 (75.4 / 59.0) |
Valencia | 16.4 / 7.1 (61.5 / 44.8) |
20.8 / 11.5 (69.4 / 52.7) |
30.2 / 21.9 (86.4 / 71.4) |
24.4 / 15.2 (75.9 / 59.4) |
Temperature averages for Spanish non-mainland cities
Location | Coldest month |
April | Warmest month |
October |
---|---|---|---|---|
El Hierro Airport | 20.8 / 16.4 (69.4 / 61.5) |
21.6 / 17.0 (70.9 / 62.6) |
26.5 / 21.7 (79.7 / 71.1) |
25.6 / 20.9 (78.1 / 69.6) |
Gran Canaria | 20.8 / 15.0 (69.4 / 59.0) |
22.6 / 16.2 (72.7 / 61.2) |
27.5 / 21.6 (81.5 / 70.9) |
26.2 / 20.1 (79.2 / 68.2) |
La Laguna | 16.0 / 10.2 (60.8 / 50.4) |
18.5 / 10.9 (65.3 / 51.6) |
25.7 / 16.6 (78.3 / 61.9) |
22.5 / 15.2 (72.5 / 59.4) |
Los Cancajos | 20.7 / 15.3 (69.3 / 59.5) |
21.6 / 16.2 (70.9 / 61.2) |
26.6 / 21.3 (79.9 / 70.3) |
25.5 / 20.2 (77.9 / 68.4) |
Santa Cruz | 21.0 / 15.4 (69.8 / 59.7) |
22.7 / 16.5 (72.9 / 61.7) |
29.0 / 21.9 (84.2 / 71.4) |
26.3 / 20.3 (79.3 / 68.5) |
Location | Coldest month |
April | Warmest month |
October |
---|---|---|---|---|
Ibiza | 15.7 / 8.1 (60.3 / 46.6) |
19.7 / 11.4 (67.5 / 52.5) |
30.3 / 22.2 (86.5 / 72.0) |
24.0 / 16.5 (75.2 / 61.7) |
Palma | 15.4 / 8.3 (59.7 / 46.9) |
19.2 / 11.7 (66.6 / 53.1) |
29.8 / 22.5 (85.6 / 72.5) |
23.7 / 16.6 (74.7 / 61.9) |
Menorca Airport
|
14.2 / 7.4 (57.6 / 45.3) |
18.0 / 10.6 (64.4 / 51.1) |
29.2 / 21.5 (84.6 / 70.7) |
22.7 / 16.1 (72.9 / 61.0) |
Extreme temperature records in selected cities
See also: List of extreme temperatures in Spain
Nationally, the lowest temperature ever reported in Spain is −32.0 °C (−25.6 °F) in Estany Gento, Province of Lleida on 2 February 1956.[50] Conversely, the highest, officially, is 47.6 °C (117.7 °F) at La Rambla, Cordoba on 14 August 2021.[51]
Location | Record highs | Record lows |
---|---|---|
Mediterranean | ||
La Rambla, province of Cordoba[52] | 47.6 °C (117.7 °F) | — |
Montoro, Córdoba[53] | 47.4 °C (117.3 °F) | — |
Cordoba[54] | 46.9 °C (116.4 °F) | −8.2 °C (17.2 °F) |
Seville[55] | 46.6 °C (115.9 °F) | −5.5 °C (22.1 °F) |
Granada[56] | 46 °C (115 °F) | −14.2 °C (6.4 °F) |
Málaga[57] | 44.2 °C (111.6 °F) | −3.8 °C (25.2 °F) |
Continental | ||
Zaragoza[58] | 44.5 °C (112.1 °F) | −14 °C (7 °F) |
Albacete[59] | 42.7 °C (108.9 °F) | −24.0 °C (−11.2 °F) |
Teruel[60] | 41.3 °C (106.3 °F) | −21 °C (−6 °F) |
Valladolid[61] | 41.1 °C (106.0 °F) | −11.5 °C (11.3 °F) |
Northern Atlantic | ||
Ourense[62] | 44.1 °C (111.4 °F) | −8.6 °C (16.5 °F) |
Bilbao[63] | 44 °C (111 °F) | −8.6 °C (16.5 °F) |
A Coruña[64] | 39.6 °C (103.3 °F) | −3.0 °C (26.6 °F) |
Oviedo[65] | 39 °C (102 °F) | −6.0 °C (21.2 °F) |
Vigo[66] | 40.8 °C (105.4 °F) | −5.0 °C (23.0 °F) |
Sea temperature
Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
13 °C (55 °F) | 12 °C (54 °F) | 12 °C (54 °F) | 13 °C (55 °F) | 15 °C (59 °F) | 18 °C (64 °F) | 20 °C (68 °F) | 21 °C (70 °F) | 20 °C (68 °F) | 18 °C (64 °F) | 15 °C (59 °F) | 13 °C (55 °F) | 15.8 °C (60.4 °F) |
Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
13 °C (55 °F) | 13 °C (55 °F) | 13 °C (55 °F) | 14 °C (57 °F) | 17 °C (63 °F) | 20 °C (68 °F) | 23 °C (73 °F) | 25 °C (77 °F) | 23 °C (73 °F) | 20 °C (68 °F) | 17 °C (63 °F) | 15 °C (59 °F) | 18 °C (64 °F) |
Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
14 °C (57 °F) | 13 °C (55 °F) | 13 °C (55 °F) | 15 °C (59 °F) | 17 °C (63 °F) | 21 °C (70 °F) | 24 °C (75 °F) | 26 °C (79 °F) | 24 °C (75 °F) | 21 °C (70 °F) | 18 °C (64 °F) | 15 °C (59 °F) | 18.5 °C (65.3 °F) |
Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
14 °C (57 °F) | 14 °C (57 °F) | 14 °C (57 °F) | 15 °C (59 °F) | 17 °C (63 °F) | 21 °C (70 °F) | 24 °C (75 °F) | 25 °C (77 °F) | 24 °C (75 °F) | 21 °C (70 °F) | 18 °C (64 °F) | 16 °C (61 °F) | 18.6 °C (65.5 °F) |
Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
16 °C (61 °F) | 15 °C (59 °F) | 16 °C (61 °F) | 16 °C (61 °F) | 17 °C (63 °F) | 19 °C (66 °F) | 22 °C (72 °F) | 22 °C (72 °F) | 22 °C (72 °F) | 20 °C (68 °F) | 18 °C (64 °F) | 17 °C (63 °F) | 18.4 °C (65.1 °F) |
Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
19 °C (66 °F) | 19 °C (66 °F) | 19 °C (66 °F) | 19 °C (66 °F) | 20 °C (68 °F) | 21 °C (70 °F) | 22 °C (72 °F) | 23 °C (73 °F) | 23 °C (73 °F) | 23 °C (73 °F) | 22 °C (72 °F) | 20 °C (68 °F) | 20.9 °C (69.6 °F) |
See also
- Climate of Barcelona
- Climate of Valencia
- Climate of Madrid
- Climate of Bilbao
- Climate of Gibraltar
- Wave height
- Western Mediterranean oscillation
Notes
References
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