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Climate in Spain
Spain is a large country with a land border to the west with Portugal, forming a big peninsula bordered with the Pyrenees to the north, the Mediterranean Sea is to its south and east, while the Atlantic Ocean is to its west and north. Because of the large size of the country, the influences of the Mediterranean and the Atlantic there is a great variety of climates throughout Spain.
Most of the country has very warm and sunny summers; however there is a great diversity in temperatures in winter. The coastal areas have mild weather, while the inland areas are snowy and cold. The average amount of daily sunshine is three hours in winter to seven and eight in summer. Spain may be divided into four regions in terms of climate: north and northwestern, central, Mediterranean and the Canary Islands.
North and Northwest Spain
This is the cloudiest and rainiest part of Spain. Summers are wetter, cloudier and cooler than elsewhere in the country but there is still a considerable amount of warm and sunny weather. The amount of rainfall decreases from west to east and is rather high on the sea slopes of the Cantabrians and in the northwest.
Central Spain
Over most of the interior of the region the amount of rain is low. However, winter snowfall is quite heavy and lasts for a long time in the mountains. Summers are the driest period and are hot. Hot winds and dust are the most unpleasant features of the summer weather. Spring and early summer are the wettest seasons but rain is light and is falling in short and heavy showers. There are cold spells of weather in winter with biting winds. The average amount of daytime sunshine is high, ranging from five hours in winter to twelve in summer.
Mediterranean Spain
This region includes the most famous resorts in Spain. The average amount of daytime sunshine is high: from six hours in winter to twelve in summer. Winters are milder and warmer than in Central Spain. Summers are hot and occasionally humid, and the heat is moderated by the sea breezes in the afternoon. Rain is rare from June to August. Autumn is wetter than winter.
The Canary Islands
Summer temperatures rarely rise very high because of the cold Canaries current. Winters are mild. The warmest periods in summer are when hot and dry air masses from the Sahara desert reach the islands. In winter, stormy and wet periods are rare. The amount of daily hours of sunshine ranges from six in winter to eleven in the summer.
Clothing in Spain
Light linens and cottons are recommended for summer months. In winter, medium wear is advisable. Spain is a sunny country, so do not forget your sunglasses.
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