SPANISH CLIMATE INFO - WEATHER

As you would expect in a Mediterranean country, Spain's climate is very different to ours in the UK. In fact, the World Health Organisation says that Spain's climate is one of the healthiest in the world.

This means mild winters where the daytime weather rarely falls below 10 degrees Celsius (50 degrees Fahrenheit) and is usually between 15 degrees C and 20 degrees C (59 to 68F) to hot summers where the temperature can rise to 35 degrees C or more (approximately 90 degrees F).

Spring and Autumn weather falls midway between these temperatures. Thus, winter is the time when retired people appreciate the Southern Spanish climate best. They can escape from Britain's icy winter grip to bright sunshine, outdoor meals in the warming sun, strolls in the mild daytime air - before the temperature drops as the sun dips below the horizon. However, even in winter, it is rarely necessary to wear a heavy coat.

Most Costas can claim around 300 sunny days a year which means there are around 65 days when the sun does not shine. It does rain in Spain, and not only on the plain, but residents and visitors comfort themselves with the knowledge that it rarely lasts more than a day or two.

There are windy days, too, usually in the Autumn but again, the winds do not usually last more than a day or so.

The Costa Brava in the north west of Spain has a slightly different climate - hot summers and cooler winters which have more rain (hence the region's greenness) and much more winter wind.

The Costa de la Luz, the region beyond Gibraltar towards Portugal) is on the Atlantic coast and again is more susceptible to winter winds, though it too has hot summers.