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Despite being a
rather small country,
Portugal
does experience a vast difference in the climates, depending upon the
region in which you are situated. The
climate in Portugal
varies considerably from one region to the next and is influenced by the relief, latitude and proximity to the sea, which offers mild winters, especially in the
Algarve.
In the Porto, the North area and
mountainous Beiras region, particularly inland, nearer Spain, the winters are colder, although the temperatures are still mild when compared to the rest of Europe. There is some snowfall
and temperatures can fall below zero many times during the winter. This occurs most in the Serra da Estrela mountains, where we find the highest point in mainland Portugal (1,991 m) and where it is sometimes possible to ski.
The summers are hot and dry, especially in the inland areas (Tras-os-Montes)
in north-eastern
Portugal and Alentejo). Temperatures are slightly lower in the coastal areas, because of the influence of the sea.
There are often warm, sunny days in autumn. Nice weather at the beginning of November is often called "St. Martin’s Summer" as this saint’s day is on 11 November. |
