Weather In Spain

In a country that is almost as large as France, one can really expect the weather in Spain to be as diverse as its culture and geography. Along with Portugal, Spain occupies the western end of the Iberian Peninsula, located south of the Pyrenees. The country is bordered on its western and northern side by the Atlantic Ocean and on its southern and eastern side by the Mediterranean Sea.

The geographical location, along with the different climatic influences of the Atlantic and the Mediterranean, contributes to the changing weather in Spain. In addition, the large size of the peninsula also results in the variety of weather in Spain.

With all the foregoing, it is thus a mistake to think of the weather in Spain as typical of any Mediterranean country. It is likewise a mistake to think of the weather in Spain as typically Mediterranean in every part of the country. Unlike other tourist areas along the east and south coasts and in the Balearic Islands, Spain is far too large a country to have uniform climate.

The weather in Spain, however, is extremely hot and sunny in the summer, especially during mid-summer in July and August. At around this time, the beaches are favorite haunts of both locals and tourists alike, the beaches being considered as the main draw of Spain's tourism.

But, if the weather in Spain during these months is not to your liking, you may want to move to higher altitudes where it is relatively cooler. The north has the Pyrenees and Cantabrian Mountains with altitudes between 1,800 m/6,000 ft. and 3,000 m/10,000ft.

In the winter, the weather in Spain can get very varied. Differences in temperature are great. While the coastal areas experience mild temperature, the interior experiences frequently cold and snowy weather.

Much of Spain's interior is a plateau. The average height is around 450 m - 900 m or 1,500 ft - 3,000 ft. However, there are also a number of mountain ranges (sierras) that also add variety to the weather in Spain.

In the south of Spain, in the region of Andalusia, is the Guadalquivir River Valley. The valley forms a wide lowland, traversed by the river which leads south to the high Sierra Nevada. This mountain range dominates the narrow Mediterranean coastlands, offering shelter and keeping the climate in the south relatively temperate.

For the best time to visit Spain, it should be during spring or autumn when the weather is not too hot, not too cold either. However, October and November in Spain are known months of heavy rains. The only areas that do not experience as much rain as the rest of Spain is the Atlantic Coast.

The busiest months are the summer months, especially August. May and October have fewer crowd, an ideal time to visit for those who prefer less crowd.