Climate of Gibraltar

Last updated

The climate of Gibraltar is Mediterranean/Subtropical with mild winters and warm summers. Gibraltar has two main prevailing winds, an easterly one known as the Levante coming from the Sahara in Africa which brings humid weather and warmer sea currents and the other as Poniente which is westerly and brings fresher air and colder sea. Its terrain consists of the 430-metre (1,411 ft) [1] high Rock of Gibraltar and the narrow coastal lowland surrounding it. Rain occurs mainly in winter; the summers are generally dry.

Contents

Average morning relative humidity: 82%, evening relative humidity: 64%. [2] Sunshine hours are up to 2,778 per year, from 150 in November (~5 hours of sunshine per day) to 341 in July (~11 hours of sunshine per day). [3]

Temperature

Its average annual temperature is 18.8 °C (65.8 °F): 21.7 °C (71.1 °F) during the day and 15.8 °C (60.4 °F) at night. In the coldest month - January - the typical temperature ranges from 11–18 °C (52–64 °F) during the day and 9–14 °C (48–57 °F) at night (sometimes above and below these temperatures). The average sea temperature is 15–16 °C (59–61 °F). In the warmest month - August - the typical temperature ranges from 25–31 °C (77–88 °F) during the day, and averages 21.2 °C (70.2 °F) at night, and the average sea temperature is 22 °C (72 °F). The average number of days above 21 °C (70 °F) is 181, average number of days above 32 °C (90 °F) is 5-6 (2 in July, 3 in August). The highest temperature ever recorded was 40.6 °C (105.1 °F) on 5 July 1994 while the lowest temperature ever recorded was 0.0 °C (32.0 °F) on 13 January 1978. [4]


Climate data for Gibraltar International Airport (GIB) weather station (ICAO indicator [lower-alpha 1] : LXGB, WMO identifier [lower-alpha 2] : 08495), 5m amsl [lower-alpha 3] , 1991−2020 normals (except dewpoints and humidity), 1985-2015 dewpoints and humidity, extremes 1958−present
MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecYear
Record high °C (°F)24.0
(75.2)
24.1
(75.4)
30.3
(86.5)
32.0
(89.6)
33.2
(91.8)
38.0
(100.4)
40.6
(105.1)
40.2
(104.4)
34.5
(94.1)
33.7
(92.7)
29.6
(85.3)
25.0
(77.0)
40.6
(105.1)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)16.3
(61.3)
16.7
(62.1)
18.3
(64.9)
20.0
(68.0)
22.6
(72.7)
25.6
(78.1)
28.1
(82.6)
28.4
(83.1)
25.9
(78.6)
22.5
(72.5)
19.1
(66.4)
17.0
(62.6)
21.7
(71.1)
Daily mean °C (°F)13.8
(56.8)
14.2
(57.6)
15.6
(60.1)
17.0
(62.6)
19.3
(66.7)
22.1
(71.8)
24.3
(75.7)
24.8
(76.6)
22.8
(73.0)
19.9
(67.8)
16.6
(61.9)
14.7
(58.5)
18.8
(65.8)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)11.2
(52.2)
11.5
(52.7)
12.7
(54.9)
13.9
(57.0)
16.0
(60.8)
18.5
(65.3)
20.5
(68.9)
21.2
(70.2)
19.7
(67.5)
17.3
(63.1)
14.1
(57.4)
12.4
(54.3)
15.8
(60.4)
Record low °C (°F)0.0
(32.0)
0.6
(33.1)
2.0
(35.6)
0.0
(32.0)
9.0
(48.2)
9.0
(48.2)
14.4
(57.9)
13.9
(57.0)
12.3
(54.1)
9.0
(48.2)
5.7
(42.3)
0.8
(33.4)
0.0
(32.0)
Average precipitation mm (inches)97.5
(3.84)
93.6
(3.69)
83.4
(3.28)
68.8
(2.71)
26.9
(1.06)
8.5
(0.33)
0.7
(0.03)
1.1
(0.04)
25.6
(1.01)
84.9
(3.34)
99.1
(3.90)
150.7
(5.93)
740.8
(29.16)
Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm)7.206.366.646.513.740.940.230.202.666.257.347.9456.01
Average relative humidity (%)75757472717071727679777774
Average dew point °C (°F)9
(48)
9
(48)
11
(52)
11
(52)
13
(55)
16
(61)
18
(64)
19
(66)
18
(64)
16
(61)
12
(54)
11
(52)
14
(56)
Mean monthly sunshine hours 1471432042332893193263092401971351342,676
Source 1: Deutscher Wetterdienst (February, July and August record lows only) [5]
Source 2: Meteoclimat (normals except dewpoints and humidity) [6]

Source 3: Meteoclimat (records except February, July and August record lows) [7]

Source 4: Time and Date (dewpoints and humidity) [8]

Temperature of sea

Average sea temperature, according to seatemperature.org: [9]
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecYear
16.3 °C (61.3 °F)15.8 °C (60.4 °F)15.7 °C (60.3 °F)16.9 °C (62.4 °F)18.5 °C (65.3 °F)21.0 °C (69.8 °F)22.8 °C (73.0 °F)23.3 °C (73.9 °F)21.8 °C (71.2 °F)20.5 °C (68.9 °F)18.3 °C (64.9 °F)16.8 °C (62.2 °F)19.0 °C (66.2 °F)

See also

Notes

  1. An ICAO indicator is a unique identifying 4-letter identifier, assigned to airports and airfields. As of September 2018, there were 22,503 ICAO indicator assignments in current use
  2. A WMO identifier is a unique 5-digit numeric code to identify a land weather station. As of September 2018 there were 18,762 WMO identifier assignments in current use.
  3. Above mean sea level.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Climate of the United Kingdom</span> Climate of the country

The United Kingdom straddles the higher mid-latitudes between 49° and 61°N on the western seaboard of Europe. Since the UK is always in or close to the path of the polar front jet stream, frequent changes in pressure and unsettled weather are typical. Many types of weather can be experienced in a single day.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Climate of Antarctica</span> Overview of climactic conditions in Antarctica

The climate of Antarctica is the coldest on Earth. The continent is also extremely dry, averaging 166 mm (6.5 in) of precipitation per year. Snow rarely melts on most parts of the continent, and, after being compressed, becomes the glacier ice that makes up the ice sheet. Weather fronts rarely penetrate far into the continent, because of the katabatic winds. Most of Antarctica has an ice-cap climate with extremely cold and dry weather.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Climate of Greece</span> Overview of the impacts of the climate change in Greece

The climate in Greece is predominantly Mediterranean. However, due to the country's geography, Greece has a wide range of micro-climates and local variations. The Greek mainland is extremely mountainous, making Greece one of the most mountainous countries in Europe. To the west of the Pindus mountain range, the climate is generally wetter and has some maritime features. The east of the Pindus mountain range is generally drier and windier in summer. The highest peak is Mount Olympus, 2,918 metres (9,573 ft). The northern areas of Greece have a transitional climate between the continental, the Mediterranean and the humid subtropical climate. There are mountainous areas that have an alpine climate. Also, various areas of Greece have semi-arid climates.

The climate of Delhi is an overlap between monsoon-influenced humid subtropical and semi-arid, with high variation between summer and winter temperatures and precipitation. Delhi's version of a humid subtropical climate is markedly different from many other humid subtropical cities such as São Paulo, Houston, and Brisbane in that the city features dust storms and wildfire haze due to its semi-arid climate.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Climate of Italy</span> Overview of climatic conditions in Italy

The climate of Italy is highly diverse. In most of the inland northern and central regions, the climate ranges from humid subtropical to humid continental and oceanic. The climate of the Po valley geographical region is mostly humid subtropical, with cool winters and hot summers. The coastal areas of Liguria, Tuscany and most of the South experience a Mediterranean climate according to the Köppen climate classification.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Climate of Japan</span> Overview of the Climate of Japan

Most regions of Japan, such as Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu, belong to the temperate zone with humid subtropical climate characterized by four distinct seasons. However, its climate varies from cool humid continental climate in the north such as northern Hokkaido, to warm tropical rainforest climate in the south such as the Yaeyama Islands and Minami-Tori-shima.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Climate of Albania</span> Overview of the climate of Albania

Albania has a variety of climate systems. With its coastline facing the Adriatic and Ionian seas in the Mediterranean sea, its highlands backed upon the elevated Balkan landmass, and the entire country lying at a latitude subject to a variety of weather patterns during the winter and summer seasons, however it has a high number of climatic regions for such a small area. The coastal lowlands have typically mediterranean climate while the highlands have a continental climate. In both the lowlands and the interior, the weather varies markedly from north to south.

Malta has a Subtropical-Mediterranean climate according to the Köppen climate classification (Csa), with very mild winters and warm to hot summers. Rain occurs mainly in winter, with summer being generally dry. According to the Troll-Paffen climate classification and the Siegmund/Frankenberg climate classification, Malta lies within the subtropical zone, being at 35ºN latitude.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Climate of Norway</span> Overview of the Climate of Norway

The climate of Norway is more temperate than could be expected for such high latitudes. This is mainly due to the North Atlantic Current with its extension, the Norwegian Current, raising the air temperature; the prevailing southwesterlies bringing mild air onshore; and the general southwest–northeast orientation of the coast, which allows the westerlies to penetrate into the Arctic. The January average in Brønnøysund is 15.8C (28.6F) higher than the January average in Nome, Alaska, even though both towns are situated on the west coast of the continents at 65°N. In July the difference is reduced to 3.2C (5.8F). The January average of Yakutsk, in Siberia but slightly further south, is 42.3C (76.1F) lower than in Brønnøysund.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Climate of Moscow</span> Climate of the capital of Russia

Moscow has a warm-summer humid continental climate with warm to hot summers and long, cold, winters. Typical high temperatures in the warm months of June, July and August are around 23 °C (73 °F), but during heat waves, which can occur anytime from May to September, daytime temperature highs often top 30 °C (86 °F) for sometimes one or two weeks. In the winter, temperatures normally drop to approximately −10 °C (14 °F), though there can be periods of warmth with temperatures rising above 0 °C (32 °F). Summer lasts from mid-May to the beginning of September, and winter lasts from the beginning of November to the end of March. Humidity is high year-round, although it is lowest during the spring months.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Climate of Estonia</span>

Estonia lies in the northern part of the temperate climate zone and in the transition zone between maritime and continental climate. Because Estonia is continuously warmed by maritime air influenced by the heat content of the northern Atlantic Ocean, it has a milder climate despite its northern latitude. The Baltic Sea causes differences between the climate of coastal and inland areas. Estonia has four seasons of near-equal length. Average temperatures range from 17.8 °C (64.0 °F) on the Baltic islands to 18.4 °C (65.1 °F) inland in July, the warmest month, and from −1.4 °C (29.5 °F) on the Baltic islands to −5.3 °C (22.5 °F) inland in February, the coldest month.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Climate of Cyprus</span> Climate of the Mediterranean island

Cyprus has a subtropical climate - Mediterranean and semi-arid type - according to Köppen climate classification signes Csa and BSh, with very mild winters and warm to hot summers. Snow is possible only in the Troodos mountains in the central part of the island. Rain occurs mainly in winter, with summer being generally dry.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Climate of Barcelona</span> Climate of Barcelona, Spain

Barcelona has a Mediterranean climate (Csa) according to Köppen-Geiger classification, a warm-temperate subtropical climate according to Troll-Paffen climate classification, and a subtropical climate according to Siegmund/Frankenberg climate classification.

Valencia and its metropolitan area have a hot semi-arid climate with mild winters and warm to hot summers. According to Troll-Paffen climate classification, Valencia has a warm-temperate subtropical climate and according to Siegmund/Frankenberg climate classification, Valencia has a subtropical climate.

Rawalpindi features a humid subtropical climate with hot summers, and cool to cold winters. Its climate is classified as very similar to its twin city Islamabad, but the geographical location and extreme urbanization of Rawalpindi has led to weather and climatic conditions that are notably different from its twin. Rawalpindi's weather has historically been known to change rather quickly due to its proximity to Himalayas and the Pir Panjal Range. These mountains not only influence the weather of the city, but also provide great recreation during the hot months. Furthermore, Its warm comfortable mean annual temperature of 21.3 °C (70 °F) attracts people to live here permanently from all over Pakistan. The average annual rainfall is abundant at 1,346.8 millimetres (53.02 in), most of which falls in the monsoon season. However, frontal cloud bands also bring significant rainfall in the winter. In summers, June is the hottest with record maximum temperature at a blistering 48.3 °C (119 °F) recorded on 13 June 1953. On the other hand, January is the coldest month of the year when temperature can drop to a minimum −3.9 °C (25 °F) in the winter recorded on 17 January 1967. Throughout the year, Rawalpindi and Islamabad experience an average of about 98 thunderstorms, which is the highest frequency of thunderstorms in Punjab province of any plane station. In fact, most rainfall in the city is accompanied by a thunderstorm with peak activity experienced in August. Record rainfall was experienced in the year 2013 at a massive 1,988 millimetres (78.3 in) mostly due to an unusually wet monsoon season. On a typical day, the city hosts breezy afternoons, but usually calm to light breeze wind conditions are observed after midnight. The mean annual wind speed of Rawalpindi is roughly 10 kilometres per hour (6.2 mph) at 14 m height. Moreover, just a few kilometers southwest of Rawalpindi, the potential power generation has been identified by U.S. Aid to be between marginal to good at 50 m height.

Madrid and its metropolitan area has a cold semi-arid climate which transitions to a mediterranean climate (Csa) on the western half of the city. According to the Troll-Paffen climate classification, Madrid has warm-temperate subtropical climate and according to the Siegmund/Frankenberg climate classification, Madrid has a subtropical climate. Madrid has hot summers and relatively cool winters with somewhat frequent frosts and occasional snowfalls, with 3-4 snowy days on average.

Bilbao and its metropolitan area has an oceanic climate according to the Köppen climate classification with mild winters and warm summers. According to the Troll-Paffen climate classification, Bilbao has a temperate climate and according to the Siegmund/Frankenberg climate classification, Bilbao has a subtropical climate. According to the European Environment Agency, Bilbao lies within the Atlantic biogeographical region. The climate of Bilbao and the rest of the north-western part of Spain is different from the rest of the country, characterized by a higher amount of rainfall and precipitation days, fewer sunshine hours and mild temperatures, in summer comparable to northern half of Europe with temperate climate.

Lisbon and its metropolitan area feature a mild Mediterranean climate, with short, mild and rainy winters and warm to hot, dry summers. According to the Troll-Paffen climate classification, Lisbon has a warm-temperate subtropical climate. According to the Siegmund/Frankenberg climate classification, Lisbon has a subtropical climate.

Perth, the capital city of the state of Western Australia, has a Mediterranean climate, with hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. February is the hottest month of the year, with an average high of 31.6 °C (88.9 °F), and July is the coldest month of the year, with an average low of 7.9 °C (46.2 °F). 77% of rain in Perth falls between May and September. Perth has an average of 8.8 hours of sunshine per day, which equates to around 3,200 hours of annual sunshine, and 138.7 clear days annually, making it the sunniest capital city in Australia.

Porto and its metropolitan area feature a Mediterranean climate with mild wet winters and warm dry summers. According to the Troll-Paffen climate classification, Porto has a warm-temperate subtropical climate, and a subtropical climate according to Siegmund/Frankenberg. Porto is the wettest major city with a Mediterranean climate.

References

  1. Gibraltar.gov.uk Archived 2009-02-27 at the Wayback Machine
  2. Weatherbase: Historical Weather for Gibraltar
  3. "Weather2Travel.com: Gibraltar Climate Guide". Archived from the original on 2011-10-05. Retrieved 2010-05-15.
  4. "Station Gibraltar" (in French). Météo Climat. Retrieved 14 October 2016.
  5. "Klimatafel von Gibraltar / Großbritannien" (PDF). Retrieved 8 February 2022.
  6. "moyennes 1991/2020 pour Gibraltar" . Retrieved 8 February 2022.
  7. "STATION GIBRALTAR" . Retrieved 8 February 2022.
  8. "Climate & Weather Averages at Gibraltar International Airport weather station" . Retrieved 8 February 2022.
  9. Gibraltar average sea temperature - seatemperature.org