Mediterranean climate

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For the influence of Mediterranean climates on viticulture, see Mediterranean climate (wine).

Regions with Mediterranean climates

Hot-summer mediterranean climate (Csa)

Warm-summer mediterranean climate (Csb)

A Mediterranean climate /mdtrenin / or dry summer climate, is the climate typical of areas

in the Mediterranean Basin. The Mediterranean climate is usually characterized by rainy winters and

dry, warm to hot summers. While the climate receives its name from the Mediterranean Sea, an area

where this climate is commonplace, it is also present in other areas of the planet, although with

variations in the distribution of temperatures. In addition to the Mediterranean Basin, the climate is
 also found in most of California in the United States, in extreme southwestern British

Columbia in Canada, in parts of Western and South Australia, in southwestern South Africa, sections

of Western and Central Asia, and in Central Chile.

Outside the Mediterranean Basin, the Mediterranean climate is usually located geographically on the

western coasts of continental masses, typically between oceanic climates towards the poles, and semi-

arid and arid climates towards the Equator. In essence, a Mediterranean climate is a combination of

the three climates with winters somewhat mimicking winters in oceanic climates and summers

imitating dry seasons in semi-arid and arid climates. Additionally, Mediterranean climates tend to be

wetter poleward and drier the closer it gets to the Equator.

The resulting vegetation of Mediterranean climates are the garrigue in the Mediterranean Basin,

the chaparral in California, the fynbos in South Africa and the Chilean scrubland in Chile. Areas with

this climate are where the so-called Mediterranean trinity has traditionally developed: wheat, vine

and olive.

Contents

1 Characteristics

2 Kppen climate classification

3 Precipitation

4 Temperature

5 Mediterranean biome

5.1 Natural vegetation

 6 Hot-summer Mediterranean climate

7 Warm-summer Mediterranean climate

8 Cold-summer Mediterranean climate

9 See also

10 References

11 External links

Characteristics[edit]
The Mediterranean climate is characterised by dry summers and mild winters. They are generally

located on the western sides of continents, between roughly 30 and 45 degrees north and south of the

Equator. Mediterranean climate zones are typically associated with the five large subtropical high-

pressure belts of the oceans: the Azores High, South Atlantic High, North Pacific High, South Pacific

High, and Indian Ocean High. These high-pressure belts, called anticyclones, rotate clockwise in

the Northern Hemisphere and counter-clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere. Anticyclones cause air

in the surrounding atmosphere to diverge and descend, sinking the air in opposing directions until there

are no clouds present; leaving clear skies. Climatological high-pressure anticyclones migrate by

latitude according to the direct angle of the Sun, shifting northward in the summer and toward the

equator in the winter. These semi-permanent anticyclones play a major role in the formation of the

world's subtropical and tropical deserts as well as the rainless summers associated with the

Mediterranean climate.
The Azores High (also known as the Bermuda High), is associated with the Mediterranean climate
found in the Mediterranean Basin, the Sahara Desert, and Arabian Desert(as well as that of the Azores,
Canary Islands, and other eastern Atlantic islands). The South Atlantic High is similarly associated
with the Namib Desert and Kalahari Desert, and the Mediterranean climate of the western part of
South Africa. The North Pacific High is related to the North American deserts: the Mojave
Desert, Great Basin Desert, Sonoran Desert, and Chihuahuan Desert, and maintains the Mediterranean
climate found in the interior of California. The South Pacific High correlates to the Atacama
Desert and Central Chile's climate, while the Indian Ocean High controls southwestern Australia's
climate.[1]

Most large, historic cities of the Mediterranean basin,

including Athens, Algiers, Barcelona, Beirut, Istanbul, Izmir, Jerusalem, Marseille, Rome and Tunis,

lie within Mediterranean climatic zones, as do major cities outside the Mediterranean basin, such

as Lisbon, Casablanca, Cape Town, Adelaide, Perth, Santiago, Los Angeles, San

Francisco, Tashkent and Dushanbe.

Kppen climate classification[edit]

Under the Kppen climate classification, "hot dry-summer" climates (classified as Csa) and "cool dry-
summer climates (classified as Csb) are often referred to as "mediterranean". Under the Kppen
climate system, the first letter indicates the climate group (in this case temperate climates). Temperate
climates or "C" zones have an average temperature above 0 C (32 F), but below 18 C (64 F), in
their coolest months. The second letter indicates the precipitation pattern ("s" represents dry
summers). Kppen has defined a dry summer month as a month with less than 30 mm (1.2 in) of
precipitation and with less than one-third that of the wettest winter month. Some, however, use a
40 mm (1.6 in) level.[2][3] The third letter indicates the degree of summer heat: "a" represents an
average temperature in the warmest month above 22 C (72 F), while "b" indicates the average
temperature in the warmest month below 22 C (72 F).

Under the Kppen classification, dry-summer climates (Csa, Csb) usually occur on the western sides
of continents. Csb zones in the Kppen system include areas normally not associated with
mediterranean climates but with Oceanic climates, such as much of the Pacific Northwest, much of
southern Chile, parts of west-central Argentina, and parts of New Zealand.[4] Additional highland
areas in the subtropics also meet Cs requirements, though they, too, are not normally associated with
mediterranean climates, as do a number of oceanic islands such as Madeira, the Juan Fernndez
Islands, the western part of the Canary Islands, and the eastern part of the Azores
Under Trewartha's modified Kppen climate classification, the two major requirements for

a Cs climate are revised. Under Trewartha's system, at least eight months must have average

temperatures of 10 C (50 F) or higher (subtropical), and the average annual precipitation must not

exceed 900 mm (35 in). Thus, under this system, many Csb zones in the Kppen system

become Do or Oceanic climate, and only the classic dry-summer warm winter, low annual rainfall

locations are included in the Mediterranean type climate.

Precipitation[edit]
It [Chile] has six, months of winter, no more, and in them, except when there is a quarter moon,

when it rains one or two days, all the other days have such beautiful suns...
Pedro de Valdivia to Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor
During summer, regions of mediterranean climate are dominated by subtropical high-pressure, with

dry sinking air capping a surface marine layer of varying humidity and making rainfall unlikely. The

Mediterranean climates closer to the equator usually have a dearth of atmospheric disturbances during

the summer and fall, due to them being closer to the Horse Latitudes and the Tropic of

Cancer or Tropic of Capricorn and so the weather is often very stable and dry. In many Mediterranean

climates there is a strong diurnal character to daily temperatures in the warm summer months, due to

the great loss of ultraviolet radiation from the sun at night.

In winter, Mediterranean climate zones come into contact with the westerlies and associated periodic

storms can reach into the mediterranean climate zones. Since the high-pressure anticyclones are no

longer there to deflect storms away from these regions, thunderstorms and heavy rain become possible.

As a result, areas with this climate receive almost all of their precipitation during their winter and

spring seasons, and may go anywhere from 3 to 6 months during the summer without having any

significant precipitation. In the lower latitudes, precipitation usually decreases in both the winter and

summer because they are closer to the Horse Latitudes which brings calm winds and clear skies; thus
bringing smaller amounts of rain. Toward the polar latitudes, total moisture usually increases; the

Mediterranean climate in Southern Europe has more rain. The rainfall also tends to be more evenly

distributed throughout the year in Southern Europe, while in the Eastern Mediterranean (the Levant)

and in Southern Californiathe summer is nearly or completely dry and the dry season most severe.

Places where evapotranspiration is higher, steppe climates tend to prevail, but still follow the weather

pattern of the Mediterranean climate.

Temperature[edit]

Mediterranean climate distribution in the Americas

The majority of the regions with mediterranean climates have relatively mild winters and very warm

summers. However winter and summer temperatures can vary greatly between different regions with a

mediterranean climate. For instance, in the case of winters, Lisbon and Los Angeles experience mild

temperatures in the winter, with frost and snowfall almost unknown, whereas Tashkent has colder

winters with annual frosts and snowfall. Or to consider summer, Athens experiences rather high

temperatures in that season (48 C (118 F) has been measured in nearby Eleusis). In contrast, San

Francisco has cool summers with daily highs around 21 C (70 F) due to the continuous upwelling of

cold subsurface waters along the coast. The coast of California also produces regular summer fog, due

to cool, moist ocean air coming into contact with high-pressure.

Because most regions with a mediterranean climate are near large bodies of water, temperatures are

generally moderate with a comparatively small range of temperatures between the winter low and

summer high (although the daily range of temperature during the summer is large due to dry and clear

conditions, except along the immediate coasts). Temperatures during winter only occasionally fall

below the freezing point and snow is generally seldom seen. In the summer, the temperatures range

from mild to very hot, depending on distance from a large body of water, elevation, and latitude. Even

in the warmest locations with a mediterranean-type climate, however, temperatures usually do not

reach the highest readings found in adjacent desert regions because of cooling from water bodies,

although strong winds from inland desert regions can sometimes boost summer temperatures, quickly

increasing the risk of wildfires.

As in every climatologic domain, the highland locations of the mediterranean domain can present
cooler temperatures in winter than the lowland areas, temperatures which can sometimes prohibit the
growth of typical Mediterranean plants. Some Spanish authors opt to use the term "Continental
Mediterranean climate" for some regions with lower temperature in winter than the coastal
areas[5] (direct translation from Clima Mediterrneo Continentalizado), but most climate
classifications (including Kppen's Cszones) show no distinction.

Additionally, the temperature and rainfall pattern for a Csa or even a Csb climate can exist as a

microclimate in some high-altitude locations adjacent to a rare tropical As(summer-drought tropical

climate, typically in a rainshadow region). These have a favourable climate with mild wet winters and

fairly warm, dry summers

Mediterranean biome[edit]
The mediterranean forests, woodlands, and scrub biome is closely associated with mediterranean
climate zones, as are unique freshwater communities. Particularly distinctive of the climate
are sclerophyll shrublands, called maquis in the Mediterranean Basin, chaparral in
California, matorral in Chile, fynbos in South Africa, and malleeand kwongan shrublands in Australia.
Aquatic communities in mediterranean climate regions are adapted to a yearly cycle in
 which abiotic (environmental) controls of stream populations and community structure dominate
during floods, biotic components (e.g. competition and predation) controls become increasingly
important as the discharge declines, and environmental controls regain dominance as environmental
conditions become very harsh (i.e. hot and dry); as a result, these communities are well suited to
recover from droughts, floods, and fires.[6] Aquatic organisms in these regions show distinct long-term
patterns in structure and function,[7] and are also highly sensitive to the effects of climate change.[8][9]

Natural vegetation[edit]

The native vegetation of mediterranean climate lands must be adapted to survive long, hot summer
droughts and prolonged wet periods in winter. Mediterranean vegetation examples include the
following:[10]

Evergreen trees: such as bay laurel, pine, cypress, and oak

Deciduous trees: such as sycamore, oak, and buckeyes

Fruit trees such as olive, figs, walnuts and grapes

Shrubs: rosemary, Erica, Banksia, and chamise

Sub-shrubs: such as lavender, Halimium, and sagebrush

Grasses: grassland types, Themeda triandra, bunchgrasses; sedges, and rushes

Herbs: such as Achillea, Dietes, Helichrysum and Penstemon

Much native vegetation in mediterranean climate area valleys have been cleared for agriculture. In

places such as the Sacramento Valley and Oxnard Plain in California, draining marshes and estuaries

combined with supplemental irrigation has led to a century of intensive agriculture. Much of

the Overberg in the southern Cape of South Africa, once covered with renosterveld, has likewise been

largely converted to agriculture, mainly wheat. In hillside and mountainous areas, away from urban

sprawl, ecosystems and habitats of native vegetation are more sustained.

The fynbos vegetation in the South-western Cape in South Africa is famed for its high floral diversity,

and includes such plant types as members of the Restionaceae, Ericas(Heaths) and Proteas.
Representatives of the Proteaceae also grow in Australia, such as Banksias. The palette of California

native plants is also renowned for its speciesand cultivar diversity.

Hot-summer Mediterranean climate[edit]

Hot-summer mediterranean climate (Csa)

This subtype of the mediterranean climate (Csa) is the most common form of the mediterranean

climate, therefore it is also known as a typical mediterranean climate. As stated earlier, regions with

this form of a mediterranean climate experience average monthly temperatures in excess of 22.0 C

(71.6 F) during its warmest month and an average in the coldest month between 18 to 3 C (64 to

27 F) or, in some applications, between 18 to 0 C (64 to 32 F). Also, at least four months must

average above 10 C (50 F). Regions with this form of the mediterranean climate typically experience

hot, sometimes very hot and dry summers and mild, wet winters. In a number of instances, summers

here can closely resemble summers seen in arid and semiarid climates. However, high temperatures

during summers are generally not quite as high as those in arid or semiarid climates due to the

presence of a large body of water. All areas with this subtype have wet winters. However, some areas

with a hot mediterranean subtype can actually experience very chilly winters, with occasional
snowfall. Precipitation is heavier during the colder months. However, there are a number of clear,

sunny days during the wetter months.

Csa climates are mainly found around the Mediterranean Sea, southwestern Australia,

southwestern South Africa, sections of Central Asia, northern sections of Iran and Iraq, the interior of

northern California west of the Sierra Nevada, and inland areas of southern Oregonwest of

the Cascade Mountains. Southern California's coasts also experience hot summers due to the shielding

effect of the Channel Islands. However, unshielded areas of that coastline can have warm-summer

mediterranean climates with hot-summer areas just a few miles inland.

Valencia
Climate chart (explanation)
J F M A M J J A S O N D

37 36 33 38 39 22 8 20 70 77 47 48

17 17 19 21 23 27 30 30 28 24 20 17
7 8 10 12 15 19 22 22 19 15 11 8

Average max. and min. temperatures in C

Precipitation totals in mm
Source: Agencia Estatal de Meteorologa[11][12]
Imperial conversion
Los Angeles
Climate chart (explanation)
J F M A M J J A S O N D

79 97 62 23 6.6 2.3 0.3 1 6.1 17 26 59

20 20 21 23 24 26 28 29 28 26 23 20
9 10 11 12 14 16 18 18 17 15 11 9

Average max. and min. temperatures in C

Precipitation totals in mm
Source: NOAA [1]
Imperial conversion
Perth
Climate chart (explanation)
J F M A M J J A S O N D

9.5 13 19 44 118 177 170 134 81 52 22

 31 31 30 26 22 19 18 19 20 23 26
18 18 16 14 11 9 8 8 10 11 14

Average max. and min. temperatures in C

Precipitation totals in mm
Source: BoM[13]
Imperial conversion
Warm-summer Mediterranean climate[edit]

Warm-summer mediterranean climate (Csb)

Occasionally also termed Cool-summer mediterranean climate, this subtype of the mediterranean

climate (Csb) is the less common form of the mediterranean climate. Cool ocean current and

upwelling are often the reason for this cooler type of mediterranean climate. As stated earlier, regions

with this subtype of the mediterranean climate experience warm (but not hot) and dry summers, with

no average monthly temperatures above 22 C (72 F) during its warmest month and an average in the

coldest month between 18 to 3 C (64 to 27 F) or, in some applications, between 18 to 0 C (64 to

32 F). Also, at least four months must average above 10 C (50 F). Winters are rainy and can be mild

to chilly. In a few instances, snow can fall on these areas. Precipitation occurs in the colder seasons,

but there are a number of clear sunny days even during the wetter seasons.

Csb climates are found in northwestern Iberia, namely Galicia and Portugal, California,

western Washington and Oregon, Canada's Vancouver Island, central Chile, parts of
southern Australia, sections of southwestern South Africa and sections of the Atlantic coast

of Morocco.

Porto
Climate chart (explanation)
J F M A M J J A S O N D

158 140 90 116 98 46 18 27 71 138 158 195

14 15 17 18 20 23 25 25 24 20 17 15
5 6 7 9 11 14 16 15 15 12 8 7

Average max. and min. temperatures in C

Precipitation totals in mm
Source: Instituto de Meteorologia[14]
Imperial conversion
San Francisco
Climate chart (explanation)
J F M A M J J A S O N D

120 105 86 32 14 3.3 1 2.3 7.1 30 84 81

15 16 17 18 19 20 20 21 22 21 18 15
8 9 10 10 11 12 12 13 13 13 10 8

Average max. and min. temperatures in C

Precipitation totals in mm
Source: NOAA[15]
Imperial conversion
Cape Town
Climate chart (explanation)
J F M A M J J A S O N D

15 17 20 41 69 93 82 77 40 30 14 17

26 27 25 23 20 18 18 18 19 21 24 25
16 16 14 12 9 8 7 8 9 11 13 15

Average max. and min. temperatures in C

Precipitation totals in mm
Source: WMO[16]
Imperial conversion
Cold-summer Mediterranean climate[edit]

Distribution of the relatively rare cold-summer Mediterranean climate (Kppen type Csc) in Washington, Oregon and California.

The cold-summer subtype of the mediterranean climate (Csc) is rare and predominately found at

scattered high-altitude locations along the west coasts of North and South America. This type is

characterized by cool summers, with fewer than four months with a mean temperature at or above

10 C (50 F), as well as with mild winters, with no winter month having a mean temperature below

0 C (32 F) (or 3 C [27 F]), depending on the isotherm used). Regions with this climate are

influenced by the dry-summer trend that extends considerably poleward along the west coast of the

Americas, as well as the moderating influences of high altitude and relative proximity to the Pacific

Ocean.

In North America, areas with Csc climate can be found in the Olympic, Cascade, Klamath, and Sierra

Nevada ranges in Washington, Oregon and California. These locations are found at high altitude
 nearby lower altitude regions characterized by a warm-summer mediterranean climate (Csb) or hot-

summer mediterranean climate (Csa). A rare instance of this climate occurs in the tropics,

on Haleakal Summit in Hawaii.

In South America, Csc regions can be found along the Andes in Chile and Argentina. The town

of Balmaceda is one of the few towns confirmed to have this climate.

Small areas with a Csc climate can also be found at high elevations in Corsica.

Balmaceda, Chile
Climate chart (explanation)
J F M A M J J A S O N D

85 84 72
28 20 38 54 93 49 30 28 32

4 4 6
18 18 16 12 8 9 13 15 16
7 6 2 3 1 0 2 4 6
5 3 1

Average max. and min. temperatures in C

Precipitation totals in mm
Source: DMC[17]infochile[18]
Imperial conversion
Haleakala Summit, Hawaii
Climate chart (explanation)
J F M A M J J A S O N D

203 91 78 102 34 9.4 12 28 40 34 104 119

7 10 11 11 13 15 14 15 14 14 10 6
1 2 3 3 4 6 5 6 6 5 3 0

Average max. and min. temperatures in C

Precipitation totals in mm
Source: The Western Regional Climate Center[19]
Imperial conversion
See also[edit]

Geography portal

Plants portal
Mediterranean climate (wine)
 References[edit]
1. ^ Akin, Wallace E. (1991). Global Patterns: Climate, Vegetation, and Soils. University of Oklahoma Press. p. 35. ISBN 0-8061-2309-5.

2. ^ Kottek, Markus; Grieser, Jrgen; Beck, Christoph; Rudolf, Bruno; Rube, Franz (June 2006). "World Map of the Kppen-Geiger climate

classification updated" (PDF). Meteorologische Zeitschrift. 15 (3): 259263. Bibcode:2006MetZe..15..259K . doi:10.1127/0941-

2948/2006/0130 . Retrieved 2011-02-27.

3. ^ Peel, M. C.; Finlayson, B. L.; McMahon, T. A. (2007). "Updated world map of the Kppen-Geiger climate

classification" (PDF). Hydrology and Earth System Sciences. 4 (2): 439473. doi:10.5194/hessd-4-439-2007 . Retrieved 2011-02-27.

4. ^ Peel, M. C.; Finlayson, B. L.; McMahon, T. A. (2007). "Updated world map of the Kppen-Geiger climate classification" . Hydrology

and Earth System Sciences. 11(5): 16331644. doi:10.5194/hess-11-1633-2007 . Retrieved 2011-02-27.

5. ^ "Espaa a Travs de los Mapas" . www.ign.es.

6. ^ Gasith, A. and V.H. Resh (1999). "Streams in mediterranean Climate Regions: Abiotic Influences and Biotic Responses to Predictable

Seasonal Events". Annu. Rev. Ecol. Syst. 30: 5181. doi:10.1146/annurev.ecolsys.30.1.51 .

7. ^ Resh, V.H.; L.A. Bche; J.E. Lawrence; R.D. Mazor; E.P. McElravy; A.H. Purcell; S.M. Carlson (2013). "Long-term Population and

Community Patterns of Benthic Macroinvertebrates and Fishes in Northern California Mediterranean-climate Streams" . Journal of the

North American Benthological Society. 719: 93118. doi:10.1007/s10750-012-1373-9 . Retrieved 10 November 2013.

8. ^ Lawrence, J.E.; K.B. Lunde; R.D. Mazor; L.A. Bche; E.P. McElravy; V.H. Resh (2010). "Long-Term Macroinvertebrate Responses to

Climate Change: Implications for Biological Assessment in Mediterranean-Climate Streams" . Journal of the North American

Benthological Society. 29 (4): 14241440. doi:10.1899/09-178.1 . Archived from the original on 13 July 2015. Retrieved 10

November 2013.

9. ^ Filipe, A.F.; J.E. Lawrence; N. Bonada (November 2013). "Vulnerability of Biota in Mediterranean Streams to Climate Change: A

Synthesis of Ecological Responses and Conservation Challenges" . Hydrobiologia. 719: 331351. doi:10.1007/s10750-012-1244-4 .

Retrieved 10 November 2013.

10.^ Dallman, Peter (1998). Plant Life in the World's Mediterranean Climates . Berkeley, CA: University of California
Press. ISBN 9780520208094.

11.^ Meteorologa, Agencia Estatal de. "Valores climatolgicos normales: Valencia - Agencia Estatal de Meteorologa - AEMET. Gobierno
de Espaa" . www.aemet.es.

12.^ Meteorologa, Agencia Estatal de. "Valencia Aeropuerto: Valencia Aeropuerto - Valores extremos absolutos - Selector - Agencia Estatal
de Meteorologa - AEMET. Gobierno de Espaa" . www.aemet.es.
13.^ "Perth Monthly climate statistics" . Australia Bureau of Meteorology. Retrieved 2010-08-02.

14.^ "Monthly Averages for Porto, Portugal" . Instituto de Meteorologia. Retrieved 2010-08-02.

15.^ "Climatography of the United States No. 20 (19712000)" (PDF). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved 2010-

05-31.

16.^ "Weather Information for Cape Town" . World Weather Information Service. Retrieved 2010-08-02.

17.^ "Estadistica Climatologica Tomo III (pg 319-343)" (PDF). Direccin General de Aeronutica Civil. Retrieved January 15, 2013.

18.^ "Datos climatolgicos Chile Sur" . Atmosfera.cl. Archived from the original on 2012-12-09.

19.^ "Seasonal Temperature and Precipitation Information" . Western Regional Climate Center. Retrieved November 3, 2013.

External links[edit]
Media related to Mediterranean climate at Wikimedia Commons

Explanation of Mediterranean Climate (University of Wisconsin)

Climate types under the Kppen climate classification
Tropical rainforest (Af)
Class ATropical monsoon (Am)
Tropical savanna (Aw, As)
Desert (BWh, BWk, BWn)
Class B
Semi-arid (BSh, BSk, BSn)
Humid subtropical (Cfa, Cwa)
Class COceanic (Cfb, Cwb, Cfc, Cwc)
Mediterranean (Csa, Csb, Csc)
Humid continental (Dfa, Dwa, Dfb, Dwb, Dsa, Dsb)
Class D
Subarctic (Dfc, Dwc, Dfd, Dwd, Dsc, Dsd)
Tundra (ET)
Class EIce cap (EF)
Alpine (ET, EF)

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