Climate
The climate in Cabo de Gata is described as ‘Mediterranean subdesert’. Less than 200mm (8 inches) of rain a year on average, makes the area the driest in Europe.
Although the area is dry, the proximity of the sea keeps temperatures down. The hottest temperatures are in August with the average around 32ºC (89ºF). Winters are mild with minimum temperatures in the coldest month, January, of 8ºC.
Given the annual 3000 hours of sunshine, a year-round tan is easily achieved and winter daytime temperatures often reach the mid 20s (70ºF).
Sea temperature varies considerably as the combination of currents and winds around Cape have a big influence from day to day. The Mar de Alborán to the west of the cape has an average annual temperature of 18ºC, the warmest in Spain.
The prevalent wind is from the South West, Poniente, but during the summer months, the Levante, from the South East is most prominent and for the majority of the year there is a constant light breeze from one of these two competing winds.
The rainfall, when it comes, is often torrential and over 40% of annual rainfall can occur in a single day.
The climate graphs below are averages for the 10 year period 1996 to 2006.
