The Atlantic coast, a fairly mild climate
From Galicia to Asturias, via Cantabria, the Atlantic coast of northern Spain is influenced by the Gulf Stream, which provides a fairly mild climate throughout the year. Thus, in winter, the temperatures oscillate on the coast around 10 °C, with some differences between the Atlantic coast and the interior of the rías, a little cooler. The westerly winds, which blow regularly along the coast, bring with them rain, which is quite abundant, amounting to more than 1,000 mm per year in the coastal towns. This gives us the green Spain we know with its lush landscapes. The summer, although cooler than in the rest of the country, has beautiful sunny days, especially in the south of Galicia, which enjoys a microclimate. Temperatures oscillate between 20 and 25 °C during the day, although often cooled by the sea breeze. Nights are also cool, and a little wool should be worn when going out at night.
Inland, a harsh climate
Unlike the Atlantic coast, the inland area has a continental climate, with differences depending on whether or not you are in a mountainous area. In the north, the Cantabrian mountains separate this oceanic area from the arid plateau of the Spanish Meseta, while in the west, the Sierra de los Ancares acts as a natural barrier. In the mountains, the winters are therefore harsher than on the coast, and snow often falls during this season. In the Meseta, an arid highland that occupies a large part of Castilla y León, winters remain cold and wet, with an average temperature in January of 4 °C. During the night, temperatures often fall below zero, so that morning frosts are quite frequent. However, precipitation is rather scarce on the plateau and varies between 400 and 550 millimetres per year, while in the mountainous areas no less than 1 500 millimetres fall each year, with a peak in spring and autumn. Summers, on the other hand, are hot and dry inland, with temperatures reaching up to 35°C! In the mountainous areas, thunderstorms can occur in the afternoon and evening. It should be noted that the nights remain cool and that temperatures can vary greatly between morning and evening. It will therefore be necessary to bring warm clothes.
