Spanish Climate Patterns and Weather Elements

Weather Elements in Spain

Weather elements include sunshine, cloudiness, humidity (relative and absolute), aridity, fog and haze, atmospheric pressure, rainfall, and temperatures.

Regional Rainfall Classifications

Humid Spain: The spatial distribution of this region is defined by areas that always receive abundant annual rainfall of over 800 liters. It represents 24% of Spanish territory and includes the northwest and north slopes of the Peninsula, from Galicia to Catalonia (including the Galician Massif, Cantabria, and the Pyrenees).

Dry Spain: This is a very large area bounded by the isohyets of 300 and 800 mm. It covers 72% of the peninsula and includes the two sub-mesetas. The transition from Humid Spain to Dry Spain is made through an area of transition.

Arid Spain: This corresponds to those places that receive less than 300 liters of total annual rainfall. Representing 4% of the mainland, it is located in the Southeast.

Temperature Distribution and Maritime Influence

Spatial distribution of TMA (Annual Average Temperature): Latitude is primarily responsible for the fact that average temperatures increase from north to south. The Cantabrian coast is cooler than 15ºC, while the rest of the peninsula is over 15ºC, and the Guadalquivir valley approaches 20ºC.

The maritime influence is seen in the western half of the peninsula, where temperatures are cooler. Furthermore, the way the relief is arranged makes the peninsular interior isotherms conform to the contour lines fairly consistently.

Key Climate Factors

Astronomical and Meteorological Factors

Astronomical factors: We emphasize latitude and the movement of the Earth, which cause differences in solar radiation balance, the rhythmic character of the weather, and the succession of the seasons.

Meteorological factors: These are related to the movements of the atmosphere. In the case of Spain, its participation in the general atmospheric circulation is explained by its location on the southern edge of the temperate zone.

• Air Mass: Characterized by specific conditions of temperature, humidity, and atmospheric pressure.
• Centers of Action: High or low air pressure of high extension.
• Fronts: Discontinuity surfaces separating two air masses of contrasting characteristics.

Geographic Influences on Spanish Climate

Geographic factors: A climate depends not only on the general atmospheric circulation on a large scale. In the case of Spain, the most important geographic factors are the relief and the status of the peninsula between two seas. The relief complicates climatic characteristics through the orientation of peripheral mountains, altitude, and disposition. On the other hand, the situation of the peninsula between two seas provides opposing climate features and new shades.