Made with Xara Costa Tropical Climate Copyright © 2011 Kevin O'Brien. All rights reserved.                                                                                                                     Website updated May 2011 The Costa Tropical has a special local microclimate created by warm air from North Africa and by the Sierra Nevada mountains which protect the area from Atlantic Ocean weather systems. This results in a dry, sunny, sub-tropical climate. The Climate Statistics Table shows official long term climate averages at sea level. Winters are warm and summers are hot and humid enabling sugar cane and several sub-tropical fruits to be grown. In a typical year there are up to 320 sunny days and 3,000 sunshine hours in total. At the peak of summer, mid-afternoon temperatures are generally around 30°C although the temperature can rise occasionally to 35°C. Night temperatures in summer can remain uncomfortably high along the coast. In mid-winter daytime temperatures are generally around 16°C. There are two main rainy seasons - the spring rains from February to April and the autumn rains from September to November. The Christmas and New Year period is normally warm and sunny. The Sierra de Contraviesa mountains overlook the eastern Costa Tropical and the Mediterranean Sea and at their peak are about 10km from the beaches. Due to their altitude there is a wider range of temperature here than at the coast. Some of the highest vineyards in Europe and abundant almond and olive groves are found in this area providing spectacular unspoilt scenery. There are also views on clear days across the Mediterranean Sea to the Rif and Atlas mountains of North Africa. Summers are very hot and very dry with south facing shaded areas typically reaching a mid-day temperature of 35°C (sometimes up to 40°C) and relative humidity is usually a low 30%. The short winter period gives termperatures around 10°C with up to five or six hours of daily sunshine. There is a significant temperature drop when these mountains are surrounded by low winter clound and short spells of winter snow are common along the peaks. Behind the Sierra de Contraviesa mountains lies the famous Alpujarra valley which stands at the foot of the Sierra Nevada mountains. The Alpujarra has a pleasant summer climate without extremes of temperature, but winters can be surprisingly cool on occasions when cold air comes down from the Sierra Nevada into the valley. The Sierra Nevada mountains are the highest in mainland Spain with the highest peak, Mulhacén, at a height of 3,479m (11,414 feet). With winter snow usually lasting until May, this area provides excellent skiing at the established Sol y Nieve resort and the Puerta de Ragua cross-country ski area in the east. It is possible to walk to the top of Mulhacén in summer but expert advice must be sought as conditions can change very quickly with the appearance of cloud.