Type of weather in spain: Climate of the World: Spain
What is the weather, climate and geography like in Spain
Weather and climate
Best time to visit
Spain’s climate varies from temperate in the north to dry and hot in the south. As it is a big country with varying terrain and altitudes, climate can be extremely distinctive from one corner to another. Overall, the country has three main climate zones:
• The Mediterranean climate from the southern Atlantic coastal region to Andalusia. Blessed with mild temperatures and long days, these places are excellent to visit all year round.
• The semi-arid climate in the south-eastern quarter of the country.
• The oceanic climate in the Atlantic region (Basque Country, Cantabria, Asturias, and partly Galicia, Castile–León and the Pyrenean valleys).
The best time to visit depends on the region and type of travel experience you’re seeking. For a beach vacation, the best months for guaranteed sunshine are June to August. Naturally, these are also the busiest months for tourism along the coast and on the Spanish islands, so be prepared for high prices and crowds. If you’re looking to escape the crowds, head inland to cities like Seville and Granada where temperatures are sizzling but streets aren’t as crowded as the coastal cities.
The shoulder season for travel in Spain is usually late spring and autumn: from April to end of May and October to November. These are when tourist destinations are least crowded and weather is still pleasant.
January to February is the best time to ski – there are about 35 ski resorts in Spain and they generally have a good amount of snow and also a fair amount of sunshine. In the Sierra Nevada, the sun can be quite overwhelming even in the snow – come prepared with snow goggles and sunscreen.
• Click here to see the weather & best time to visit Madrid guide.
Required clothing
From June to August on the coastal areas, casual beach wear such as flip flops, vests, loose fitting clothing and shorts will suffice.
It can get unbearably hot in the city, so be prepared to brave the weather with plenty of water, a hat and sunscreen.
In between high and low season (April-May; October-November) the climate can be unpredictable in certain parts of the country, be sure to pack your umbrella, raincoat and a light jacket for the night.
Geography
Spain shares the Iberian Peninsula with its smaller neighbour, Portugal, and is bordered to the northeast by the Pyrenees mountain range that cuts across France and Andorra. Surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, Spain has numerous stretches of coastline that are extremely crowded, especially in summer.
Spain has two main groups of islands that are popular with tourists: the Balearic Islands (Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera) located 193km (120 miles) southeast of Barcelona, and the Canary Islands off the west coast of Africa (mainly Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura, Lanzarote and La Palma). Located in continental Africa, the tiny enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla also form a part of Spain.
Mainland Spain is the second highest and most mountainous country in Europe, with an average height of 610m (2,000ft). The Pyrenees stretch roughly 400km (249 miles) from the Basque Country’s Atlantic coast. In places the peaks rise to over 1,524m (5,000ft), the highest point being 3,404m (11,169ft).
The main physical feature of Spain is the vast central plateau, or Meseta Central, divided by several chains of sierras. The higher northern area includes Castile and León and the southern section comprises Castile-La Mancha and Extremadura. In the south, the high plains rise further at the Sierra Morena before falling abruptly at the great valley of the Guadalquivir.
Southeast of Granada is the Sierra Nevada, which runs parallel to the Mediterranean. Its summit Mulhacen, at 3,718m (12,198ft), is the highest point on the Spanish peninsula. The highest peak in Spain is the Pico del Teide on Tenerife in the Canaries, measuring a height of 3,718m (12,198ft).
All about the Climate in Spain’s Different Regions
Foreigners believe the climate in Spain is mostly sunny and warm all year long.
When you live in Spain, you probably know the climate is diverse. Spain has the most diverse climate range in the whole of Europe and is on the list of ten countries in the world with the biggest climate range. Thirteen different climate regions can be found in Spain according to the Köppen Climate Classification.
Main Climate Regions in Spain
- The Hot Summer Typical Mediterranean Climate (Csa) reaches from the southern Portugal border with Spain till the northeastern border with France. There are some exceptions, but most of this region has dry summers and mild winters. The rain falls mostly in the autumn. Examples of these cities are Valencia, Palma de Mallorca, Sevilla and Malaga.
- The Warm Summer Mediterranean Climate (Csb) can be found in Galicia and Castilla y León. The eastern and southern winds bring dry, hot air that comes from the northern parts of Africa. Examples of these cities are León and Salamanca.
- The Inland Hot and Warm Summer Mediterranean Climate (Dfb) are similar to the Csa and Csb climate, but are more excessive, with hot summers and cold winters.
Madrid, Ávila and Ciudad Real are examples of cities in this region. - The Oceanic Climate (Cfb) is influenced by the Atlantic Ocean. It is known for its mild climate, with warm summers and mild winters. It rains a lot and is also known as ‘Green Spain’. Cities as Bilbao, Santander and San Sebastian are part of this region.
- Barcelona has a Humid Subtropical Climate.
Madrid, Ávila and Ciudad Real are examples of cities in this region.Dry, hot, wet, cold and humid climates in Spain
- Hot and Cold Semi-Arid Climate (Bsh and Bsk) can have extremely hot summers with temperatures up to 40ºC and little rain. Cities with this type of climate are Murcia, Alicante and Almería.
- Spain even has a Desert Climate (BWh) and it can be found in the inland of Almería, Murcia and in some places in the province of Alicante.
- Alpine Climate is found in the mountains of the Pyrenees, Picos de Europa and the Sierra Nevada.
- In the Canary Islands you can find the Tropical Climate. It has a mostly stable climate all year around.
- Most of the Canary Islands also have Hot Desert Climate, Hot Semi-Arid Climate and a Tropical Semi-Arid Climate, depending on the altitude and the position on the Island. Cities like Tenerife and Las Palmas have the Tropical Semi-Arid Climate.
It has a mostly stable climate all year around.It is possible to experience summer and winter in one single day in Spain. You can bring your skies to the Sierra Nevada in the morning and in the afternoon take a dive in the Mediterranean Sea within a 100-kilometer drive. Many people stay in the Costa Blanca in wintertime for its very mild winter climate with many sun hours a day. Because of the difference in climate in Spain there is a diverse vegetation what makes every part of Spain unique. No matter what preferences you have, everyone can find their favorite region in Spain.
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Spain, which occupies the vast majority of the Iberian Peninsula, is a unique country in terms of climate. The climate of Spain is one of the warmest in Europe. The sun shines 265-290 days a year. However, the temperature regime in the regions of the country has significant differences. This is due to the nature of the relief and the influence of the Atlantic Ocean and the seas. The main climate type of Spain is subtropical Mediterranean. It is most pronounced in the south and southeast of the peninsula (Extremadura and Andalusia), washed by the Mediterranean Sea. Winter here is warm and short, summer is hot and dry. In winter, the air cools down to an average of +7…+10 °C at night and +15…+17 degrees during the day. In summer, the average night temperature is +18…+23 °C, daytime temperature is +26…+31 degrees. Slightly cooler on the east coast – Valencia and Catalonia. In winter, the average temperature is +6…+8 °C at night, and +12…+16 °C during the day. In summer, the average values of air heating at night are +15…+21 °C, during the day – +26…+29 degrees. Most of the precipitation occurs from September to November. The swimming season in the Spanish Mediterranean starts in June and ends in October. At the beginning of the season, water heating is +18…+22 °C, reaching a peak in August – +23…+25 °C. In the velvet season, the water is still warm until mid-October – +19 … +23 degrees. The climate in Spain in the northwest of the Iberian Peninsula forms the Atlantic Ocean. Mild winters are characterized by humidity, and summers are warm without heat. Precipitation is relatively high, mainly in winter. Average temperatures fluctuate during the cold season from +5…+7 °C at night up to +13…+15 °C during the day, during the warm season – from +12…+14 °C at night to +21…+25 degrees during the day. Mountain systems along the coasts of Spain protect the interior of the country from the influence of the seas and oceans. The central part of the country is located on a large plateau Meseta . The interior of the peninsula is dominated by a continental climate – hot summers and cold winters. In the cold months, the average temperature here ranges from 0…+3 °C at night to +8…+10 degrees during the day. In summer, the average values of air heating are +14…+17 °C and +29…+31 °C during the dark and daytime, respectively. Inland Spain often suffers from lack of rainfall.
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Most of the precipitation occurs from October to March. 
gif”/>Weather in Spain – BelTourist [RUS]
LAST MINUTE TOURS TO SPAIN SEARCH HERE!
Spain enchants at any time of the year. Whenever you come here, you will not remain indifferent.
Nature, as you know, has no bad weather. We cannot but agree with this, therefore, when planning your next trip, we advise you to carefully study the places of stay so that your vacation does not turn out to be spoiled.
When is the best time to go to Spain for a holiday?
The beach season on the Spanish mainland starts in May and lasts until October. It is worth noting that even in early October, people are still splashing off the coast of Barcelona, and the beach is packed with people. This is especially felt on the weekends, when the locals also have a rest.
In the Canary Islands, the season is all year round. The Balearic Islands welcome tourists from May to September.
The largest influx of tourists on the beaches is felt in July and August, despite the summer heat, which sets in the street. Soft drinks in local cafes and gentle sea waters save you. The beaches in Spain are municipal, that is, free, but you will have to pay a considerable amount for umbrellas and sun loungers, but here everyone already chooses for himself what he likes best.
Spain is also notable for the fact that the tourist season here, in principle, does not end, because beach holidays are replaced by sightseeing and active skiing in ski resorts.
The climate of Spain
Spain with its islands is located in 4 climatic zones, due to which you have a large choice of where to relax this time.
If you do not want to fly to Asia in winter, or you are tired of Egypt with a flight from Belarus, then we advise you to consider the Canary Islands, because here the weather is almost all year round to relax. The water temperature does not fall below +20 degrees.
Snow almost never falls in Spain, and if it does, it will be more of an exception than the rule. Summers are warm and winters are mild and snowless.
In Spain there is one such feature that should be taken into account. The principle does not work here, which sea is warmer, it will be warmer there, or the further south the resort is, the warmer it will be.