You are viewing the technical text

Mediterranean Climate

The Mediterranean climate is a special type of climate that describes a regime of hot summer drought and winter rain in the mid-latitudes, north of the subtropical climate zone. This climate occurs most noticeably in the regions around the Mediterranean, from where the climate gets its name, but also in coastal areas of California, South Africa and southern parts of Australia.

In summer, the high pressure belts of the subtropics drift northwards in the Northern Hemisphere (during May to August), southwards in the Southern Hemisphere (during November to February). They are coincident with substantially higher temperatures and little rainfall. During the winter, the high-pressure belts drift back towards the equator, and the weather becomes more dominated by the rain-bearing low-pressure depressions. Whilst usually mild, such areas can experience cold snaps when exposed to the icy winds of the large continental interiors, where temperatures can drop to -40°C in the extreme continental climates.

 

Climate

Print Topic

Websites
World Climates
World Climate
About.Com

Other topics
Introduction
Air Masses
Average Weather
British Climate
Climate Change
Climate Zones
Climatology
Continental Climate
Desert Climate
El Niño
General Circulation
Global Climate
Gulf Stream
Ice Sheets
Land & Sea
Latitude
Local Climates
Maritime Climate
Measuring Climate
Mediterranean Climate
Monsoons
Mountains
Oceans
Polar Climate
Pressure Patterns
Prevailing Winds
Rainfall Patterns
Regional Climates
Savannah
Seasons
Temperate Climate
Temperature Patterns
Tropical Climate
Wind Belts

Home