Climate Data Interpretation and Classification

Climate Analysis: Precipitation, Temperature, Aridity

Precipitation Analysis

Total Rainfall Categories

• Very Abundant: Over 1,000 mm (Mountain or Oceanic Climate).
• Abundant: Over 800 mm (Humid Oceanic Climate).
• Rare: Between 300-800 mm (Inland or Coastal Mediterranean Climate).
• Very Low: Less than 300 mm (Sub-desert or Steppe Mediterranean Climate).
• Null: Less than 150 mm (Desert Climate).

Rainfall Distribution Patterns

• Regular: Every month receives more than 30 mm (Maritime Climate).
• Fairly Regular: One or two months with drought, or less than 30 mm (Continental Mediterranean Climate).
• Irregular: More than two dry months (less than 30 mm) (Mediterranean Climate). If more than seven months of drought, it indicates a Sub-desert or Steppe Mediterranean Climate.

Rainfall Station Analysis

• Identify the rainiest month or period.
• Identify the driest month or period, or periods of drought.

Forms of Precipitation

• Rain: Occurs at temperatures greater than 0°C.
• Snow: Occurs at temperatures below 0°C, typically in winter, common in mountainous regions.

Temperature Analysis

Mean Annual Temperature

Determine the average temperature over a year.

Annual Temperature Range

• Very High: Over 20°C difference (Inland Regions).
• High: 18°C - 20°C (Inland Regions).
• Medium: 16°C - 18°C (Inland Regions).
• Low: 9°C - 15°C (Bay of Biscay, Mediterranean, and Sub-Atlantic Regions).
• Very Low: Less than 8°C (Canary Islands).

Summer Temperature Characteristics

• Warm: Equal to or more than 22°C.
• Cool: Equal to or less than 22°C.

Winter Temperature Characteristics

• Mild: The coldest month is greater than 10°C.
• Moderate: The coldest month is between 6°C and 10°C.
• Cold: The coldest month is less than 6°C. Temperatures can be below 0°C in mountainous regions.

Aridity Analysis and Indices

Gaussen's Monthly Aridity Index

Calculated as: 2 * T°C >= PMM (Precipitation in Millimeters) for each month.

(When observing a climograph, if the temperature curve is above the rainfall bars, it indicates the presence of aridity.) Monthly aridity is characteristic of all Mediterranean climates.

Lautensach-Meyer General Aridity Index

• Humid: 0 arid months.
• Semi-humid: 1-3 dry months.
• Semi-arid: 4-7 arid months.
• Extreme Semi-arid: 7-11 arid months.

Climate Classification Principles

Determining Climate Types

• Based on the analysis of precipitation, temperature, and aridity, classify the climate as Maritime, Mediterranean, Mountain, or Canary Island.

Influence of Atmospheric Phenomena

• Discuss the influence of anticyclones, depressions, and fronts that typically affect the climate in each season.

Geographical Climate Location

Coastal vs. Inland Climates

• Coastal: Characterized by a low temperature range.
• Inland: Characterized by a high temperature range.

Northern vs. Southern Climates

• Northern Regions: Typically experience cold winters and mild summers.
• Southern Regions: Characterized by mild winters and hot summers.

Regional Climate Characteristics

Once the climate zone is identified, discuss the characteristic vegetation, rivers, and soils of that area (as these topics will be studied in subsequent sections).