Weather

The rainfall decreases significantly from South to North, in keeping with the shift from the heights of Los Puertos de Beceite to the Ebro depression. Whereas averages in excess of 700 mm are detected in the mountainous areas, the regions in the Northeast and lower part of the region receive less than 400 mm. In addition, part of the mountain rainfall is often in the form of snow (10-15 %), while there is very little at lower levels.

Irregularity is another significant element of this rainfall, with some dry years (little more than 300 mm) and others with much higher precipitation (close to 1000 mm). This is typical of Mediterranean weather cycles.

There are three more determining factors: seasonality (with two peaks, in spring and autumn), the torrential nature of rainfall (especially in summer and autumn, with isolated values in excess of 100L/h) and the presence of a dryer element in the form of a wind called Cierzo.

As for temperatures, the gradation phenomenon is also detected here, with annual averages ranging from 12º C to 16º C. The minimum temperature can be as low as -15º C at the highest levels, and the maximum can reach 40º C in the lowlands. Thermal amplitude is another factor, which can be higher than 20º C in the early spring and autumn.

Storms and floods

Rainstorms of 100 L/square meter in less than one hour can occur in summer, whereby rivers and ravines, which are sometimes dry, suddenly fill with water, which is cloudy, due to the sediment being carried.