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 14 different Köppen climates.^[1][2]

Köppen climate types of Spain

The five most dominant climates in the country include: The hot-summer Mediterranean climate (Csa), the warm-summer Mediterranean climate (Csb), the semiarid climate (BSh and BSk), the oceanic climate (Cfb), and the warm-summer continental climate (Dfb).^[3]

The average annual temperature 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) in a small region of the Mediterranean in the provinces of Almeria and Granada. 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.^[4]

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.^[4]

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:^[5][6][7]

• 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 warm-summer Mediterranean climate (Csb) which predominates in parts of northwestern Spain and mostly inland in central-northern Spain at altitudes above 900-1000 masl.
• 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.
• The semiarid 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 Ebro valley 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 dry season continues beyond the end of summer and the vegetation is less dense.
• The warm-summer continental climate (Dfb) which can be found in many areas in north-eastern Spain, in areas starting with altitudes above 1000-1100 masl. It can be found also in some areas in the Cantabrian Mountains and the highest areas of the Sistema Ibérico mountain range in central-eastern Spain.

Apart from the five main climate zones, other noticeable sub-zones can be found, such as the humid subtropical climate in large areas in the northern half of Catalonia going down to Barcelona, the province of Huesca and northern Navarre. The dry continental climates all across Spain in the highest areas (notably in the Sierra Nevada and the highest areas in central-northern Spain), the alpine climate and the Subarctic climate in the higher areas of northern Spain's various mountain ranges (notably the Cantabrian Mountains and the Pyrenees), a tropical climate in the coastal areas of the Canary Islands and a hot desert climate in the Southeastern coastline and eastern parts of the Canary Islands, notably around Almeria and Las Palmas.^[1][8]

Hot summer Mediterranean climate

The hot-summer Mediterranean climate (Csa) is found in many parts of Spain's Mediterranean coast, from the border with Portugal to the middle of the province of Granada. Then it starts in Calpe, and goes to the border with France (with some exceptions such as the city of Valencia). It also extends inland in Andalusia and Extremadura. It is characterized by hot, dry summers and mild winters with infrequent frosts.^[9] The summers are hot, the winters are mild and most of precipitation falls in the autumn. Examples of cities with Csa climate are Málaga, Barcelona, Palma or Seville.

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: Agencia Estatal de Meteorología^[10]^[11]

Warm summer Mediterranean climate

The Csb warm-summer Mediterranean climate is found in parts of Galicia and the western areas of Castilla y Leon. Coastal Mediterranean region is marked by Leveche winds: hot, dry, easterly or southeasterly air currents that originate over North Africa. Periods of these winds, which sometimes carry fine Saharan dust, are more common in spring and are associated with a sudden, usually short-lived, increase in temperature. A cooler easterly wind, the Levante, funnels between the Sistema Penibetico and the Atlas Mountains of North Africa. These easterly winds are the ones which most influence the Mediterranean climate.^{[citation needed]} The most populous city with Csb climate in Spain is Vigo. Other cities with this climate are Ávila, León and Salamanca.

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).^[12] 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.^[13]

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^[14]

Oceanic climate

An oceanic climate prevails from the Pyrenees to Galicia, area which is sometimes called "Green Spain", characterized by relatively mild winters and warm summers. The climate and landscape are determined by the Atlantic Ocean winds whose moisture gets trapped by the mountains circumventing the Spanish Atlantic coast. Because of the Foehn effect, the southern slopes fall inside the rain shadow zone and so Green Spain contrasts starkly with the rest of Spain. The rainfall is generally abundant, exceeding 1,000 mm (39.4 in) and is fairly evenly spread out over the year, with the driest month above 30 mm (1.2 in), which is the minimum criteria for an oceanic climate according to Köppen. Although Köppen officially limits the oceanic domain to the Asturias and the Basque Country region, certain authors such as Trewartha prefer to extend this climatic zone to the north-west part of the peninsula to Galicia, due to the moderate summer temperatures.

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^[15]
Source 2: Agencia Estatal de Meteorología^[16]^[17]

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: Agencia Estatal de Meteorología^[18]^[19]^[20]

Semi-arid climates

The semiarid climate (BSk and BSh in the Köppen climate classification) is predominant in south-eastern Spain (covering most of Alicante, Murcia and Almería provinces), and in certain parts of the Ebro Valley. It is also present in parts of the centre (Madrid, Toledo, Ciudad Real and Albacete provinces), south and west of the country which borders between a Mediterranean and semi-arid climate. It is very hot during the summer (temperatures can exceed 40 °C (104 °F)) and the drought usually extends into the autumn. Rainfall in these areas are usually between 280 mm and 420 mm.^[21]

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: Agencia Estatal de Meteorología^[22]^[23]

Desert climate

The desert climate exists in a few zones of the south-eastern coast of Spain and in much parts of the Canary Islands. Within mainland Spain, it appears predominantly in Almería, with the city of Almería bordering a hot desert climate categorization (Köppen: BWh) as the average temperature is 19.1 °C (66.4 °F) and the average precipitation is approximately 200mm.^[24] This area extends to the Andarax and Almanzora river valleys and the Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park, which are also known for having also a hot desert climate (Köppen: BWh), with a precipitation amount of 156 mm (6.1 in) per year^[25] which is reportedly the driest place in Europe.^[26] The desert climate exists in other areas of the southeast, such as the Tabernas Desert, which has an annual average temperature of 17.9 °C (64.2 °F) placing it just 0.1 °C (32.2 °F) below under the categorization of hot desert climate (Köppen: BWh), so it has a cold desert climate (Köppen: BWk). It also exists in areas of Murcia and specific points inland of the province of Alicante.^[27]

v t e Climate data for Almería Airport (15m amsl, 1981–2010 normals; 1933–present extremes)
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: Agencia Estatal de Meteorología^[28]^[29]^[30]^[31]
Source 2: Time and Date (dewpoints, between 1985−2015)^[32] Weatherbase(length of day)^[33]

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 a tropical climate in terms of temperature, this being mild and stable (18 to 26 °C or 64 to 79 °F) throughout the year. Most of the islands have hot desert climates or hot semi-arid climates, and a low altitude areas have tropical semi-arid climates, like the cities of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria or La Palma which surpass 18 °C or 64 °F in the coldest month, meeting the requirements for tropical climates under the Köppen climate classification.^[34] In terms of precipitation, the eastern islands are semiarid while the westernmost ones receive more rainfall, with some very wet areas in the mountains of La Gomera, La Palma and Tenerife, home to the cloud forest known as 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.^[35] 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 Hot Arid climate, with annual average temperatures above 18 °C and annual rainfall below 250mm. Almeria and Murcia provinces are the only areas in Europe within this climatic zone.^[36]

Climate change

This section is an excerpt from Climate change in Spain.[edit]

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.^[37] In Spain, which already has a hot and dry climate, extreme events such as heatwaves are becoming increasingly frequent.^[38][39] The country is also experiencing more episodes of drought and increased severity of these episodes.^[40] Water resources will be severely affected in various climate change scenarios.^[41]

To mitigate the effects of climate change, Spain is promoting an energy transition to renewable energies, such as solar and wind energy.^[42] In 2021, to support this process, the government approved a law on climate change and energy transition.^[43]

Spanish society as a whole is one of the most climate change conscious societies in the EU.^[44] Due to the effects of global warming, Spanish society is demanding stronger measures.^[45]

Temperature averages for Spanish mainland cities

Atlantic (Northern) Spain

Average daily maximum and minimum temperatures for selected cities in Atlantic Spain^[46]

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

Average daily maximum and minimum temperatures for selected cities in Continental Spain^[46]

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

Average daily maximum and minimum temperatures for selected cities in Mediterranean Spain^[46]

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

Average daily maximum and minimum temperatures for selected cities in the Canaries^[46]

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)

Average daily maximum and minimum temperatures for selected cities in the Balearic Islands^[46]

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

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.^[47] Conversely, the highest, officially, is 47.6 °C (117.7 °F) at La Rambla, Cordoba on 14 August 2021.^[48]

Location	Record highs	Record lows
Mediterranean
La Rambla, province of Cordoba^[49]	47.6 °C (117.7 °F)
Murcia^[50]	47.2 °C (117.0 °F)	—
Seville^[51]	46.6 °C (115.9 °F)	−5.5 °C (22.1 °F)
Cordoba^[52]	46.9 °C (116.4 °F)	−8.2 °C (17.2 °F)
Málaga^[53]	44 °C (111 °F)	—
Granada^[54]	42.5 °C (108.5 °F)	−14.2 °C (6.4 °F)
Continental
Zaragoza^[55]	44.5 °C (112.1 °F)	−14 °C (7 °F)
Valladolid^[56]	40.2 °C (104.4 °F)	−11.5 °C (11.3 °F)
Teruel^[57]	39.3 °C (102.7 °F)	−21 °C (−6 °F)
Albacete^[58]	—	−24.0 °C (−11.2 °F)
Northern Atlantic
Bilbao^[59]	42.0 °C (107.6 °F)	−8.6 °C (16.5 °F)
Oviedo^[60]	37.0 °C (98.6 °F)	−6.0 °C (21.2 °F)
A Coruña^[61]	39.6 °C (103.3 °F)	−3.0 °C (26.6 °F)
Vigo^[62]	40.8 °C (105.4 °F)	−5.0 °C (23.0 °F)
Ourense^[63]	42.6 °C (108.7 °F)	−8.6 °C (16.5 °F)

Sea temperature

Bilbao^[64]

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)

Barcelona^[65]

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)

Valencia^[66]

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)

Alicante^[67]

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)

Gibraltar/Algeciras area^[68]

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)

Las Palmas^[69]

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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