Mediterranean climate

We explain what a Mediterranean climate is, and describe its characteristics and subtypes. In addition, we provide examples of plant and animal life in Mediterranean climate regions.

What is a Mediterranean climate?

A Mediterranean climate is a type of climate characterized by hot, dry summers and cold, rainy winters. It is mainly found in regions near the Mediterranean Sea, southern Europe, and northern Africa.

In Mediterranean climates, rainfall is not abundant, rarely exceeding 61 inches (1000 mm) a year. A distinctive feature of this type of climate are the extremely dry summers, during which there is practically no rainfall. Most precipitation in Mediterranean regions occurs in winter.

According to the Köppen climate classification, the Mediterranean climate is a subtype of temperate climate which, in turn, has two subtypes: hot-summer Mediterranean climate and warm-summer Mediterranean climate.

Plant and animal life in Mediterranean regions is adapted to the marked seasonal precipitation variations. Vegetation is mostly deciduous, and animals have developed adaptations to survive during hot periods with a total lack of rainfall.

• See also: Polar climate

Characteristics of a Mediterranean climate

Mediterranean climates have the following characteristics:

• It has hot, dry summers, and cold, rainy winters.
• It is found in regions near the Mediterranean Sea.
• According to the Köppen climate classification, it is a subtype of temperate climate.
• It presents two subtypes depending on temperatures: hot-summer Mediterranean climate and warm-summer Mediterranean climate.
• Its flora and fauna are adapted to the lack of precipitation during the summer months.

Mediterranean climate types

Under the Köppen climate classification, there are two subtypes of Mediterranean climates:

• Typical Mediterranean climate (hot-summer). The mean temperature of the warmest month is above 72 °F (22 °C). It has very hot, dry summers, and rainy winters. The total amount of precipitation varies, but rarely exceeds 49 inches (800 mm) a year. Vegetation and animals in these regions are adapted to the lack of water during the summer and the usually extreme heat.
• Oceanic Mediterranean climate (warm-summer). It has more moderate maximum temperatures: the mean temperature during the warmest month is less than 72 °F (22 °C), but reaches at least 50 °F (10°C) during four months of the year. It shares similar characteristics to the typical Mediterranean climate, but due to oceanic influence, maximum temperatures are lower, and minimum temperatures somewhat higher. Plant and animal life in this climate is similar to that of the typical Mediterranean climate, but unlike it, milder temperatures require less significant adaptations to the heat and lack of water.

The Köppen climate classification is one of the most widely used systems for differentiating climate types. According to this classification, there are five major climate types: tropical, arid or dry, temperate, continental, and polar. The Mediterranean climate is a subtype of the temperate climate.

Distribution of Mediterranean climates

The distribution of Mediterranean climates on Earth is as follows:

• Typical Mediterranean climate. It is found in areas influenced by the Mediterranean Sea but away from the coastline, in countries such as Spain, Greece, Cyprus, Italy, and Portugal in Europe; in Morocco, Libya, Tunisia, and Algeria in Africa; and in Syria, Lebanon, Israel, and Turkey in Asia. It is also found in isolated areas of the western United States and southwestern Australia.
• Oceanic Mediterranean climate. It is found in areas near the Mediterranean coast. In addition to the countries included in the typical Mediterranean climate, it spreads along some coastal areas of the western United States, some regions of southern Argentina and Chile, and some coastal areas of southern Australia.

Flora and fauna of Mediterranean climates

Mediterranean climates host a wide variety of flora and fauna adapted to the aridity and heat of the summer. In terms of vegetation, some plants have roots that allow them to take advantage of soil moisture, as well as small leaves to avoid evapotranspiration.

Some tree species, like the cork oak, have thick bark that helps them withstand high temperatures and water scarcity. Regarding crops, Mediterranean regions support the growth and development of olive trees, cereals, and vineyards.

In terms of fauna, there are turtle species that can thrive long periods without water. Other animals build burrows to shelter from the heat, and some birds have fine, long beaks to obtain food from inside the soil.

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References

• Abba, N. (2021) ¿Qué es el clima templado mediterráneo? https://www.ecologiaverde.com/
• Terrasa, D. (2018) Clasificación climática de Köppen. https://geografia.laguia2000.com/
• Valera, K. (2022) Clima templado. https://enciclopediadebiologia.com/