Regional Climate Patterns and Weather Systems

Oceanic Climate Characteristics

The Oceanic climate features abundant, regular, and soft rainfall. Its distribution is quite regular due to the storms of the polar front; the precipitation peak occurs in winter, while the minimum is in summer due to the influence of the Azores anticyclone. The rain is generally soft. The temperature range is low on the coast due to the influence of the sea, resulting in cool summers and mild winters. In the interior, there is a higher thermal amplitude and moderately cold winters.

Mediterranean Climate Variations

The Mediterranean climate is characterized by low to moderate rainfall that is often irregular and stormy. The dry summer is due to the influence of the Azores anticyclone, with maximum precipitation occurring in autumn and spring, often involving violent storms. The temperature varies across three main subtypes:

• Maritime Mediterranean

  Precipitation is low to moderate. On the South Atlantic coast, rainfall is more abundant due to Atlantic storms, peaking in winter or autumn-winter. On the Mediterranean coast, precipitation levels are lower because air masses lose their moisture; the maximum occurs in autumn. This subtype features moderate thermal amplitude, hot summers, and mild winters.

• Continentalized Mediterranean

  Precipitation is low or moderate. In the western sector, it is more abundant due to Atlantic storms (maximum in winter). In the center, precipitation is lower due to the fit between mountains, with maximums during equinoctial stations. There is a high thermal amplitude due to isolation from the sea. This includes three further subtypes: The northern sub-plateau (cool summers and cold winters with frequent frosts and fogs), the southern sub-plateau (hot summers and cold winters), and Extremadura (hot summers and mild winters).

• Steppe Climate

  This features very low rainfall. In the Southeast, aridity occurs because the region is protected from Atlantic storms. In the middle of the Ebro Valley, aridity is due to the rain shadow effect of the mountains. Temperatures define two versions: the warm steppe (mild winters) and the cool steppe (mild to cold winters).

Mountain Climate Features

The Mountain climate is defined by very abundant rainfall and cold temperatures. Winters are cold with a high frequency of precipitation in the form of snow. There are specific variations: the mountain areas within an oceanic climate have no dry month and feature cool summers, while mountains in the Mediterranean area suffer a significant reduction in rainfall during the summer and have higher precipitation temperatures.

Subtropical Weather in the Canary Islands

The Canary Islands possess a subtropical climate influenced by the Azores anticyclone and the NE trade winds, which originate soft temperatures. The cold Canary current cools surface water and increases air stability in summer. The relief reduces the temperature and causes heavy rainfall and abundant clouds. Due to these factors, different climates exist: in the lowlands, there is very low rainfall due to the Azores High and warm temperatures; in the midlands and highlands, precipitation is more abundant and temperatures are lower.