Spain's most frequent winds: tradition, climate and relief

In Spain, winds have been an integral part of the landscape and culture for centuries. The names that the inhabitants of the different regions have given to these phenomena not only reflect their cultural roots, but also the climatological reality of each area. Over time, these names have been corroborated by modern data collection techniques, such as those used by AEMET (Agencia Estatal de Meteorología).

The Influence of relief on winds

The climate of a region is not only defined by the air masses passing through it, but also by how the local relief modifies these air flows. Winds, which are the result of differences in atmospheric pressure between two areas, are significantly affected by topography. When air flows from areas of high pressure (anticyclones) to areas of low pressure (squalls), reliefs such as mountains and valleys play a crucial role in their behaviour.

In some regions, the wind can be so light as to be barely noticeable, while in others, the same wind can turn into a furious gale, capable of completely altering local weather conditions. These changes are closely linked to the time of year, where winds can bring with them a variety of weather, from rainstorms to heat waves.

The names are curious, as they come from a strong cultural background, but they do define the climatological reality of each area, as the data collection techniques corroborate the existence of these winds.

Wind Classification in Spain

The AEMET has defined these winds in its reports with most of the time their traditional name, but doing an interesting job of defining them.

In this part we provide you with the winds in alphabetical order with a short description:

• Abrego: Wind from the SW. Temperate and humid that blows through Extremadura, Andalusia, Castilla la Mancha, Castilla León.
• Mug: Wind from the SE. Humid air that blows through the Ebro Valley.
• Borrasca: Westerly wind. Last remnants of cyclones from the Americas passing through Galicia and the Cantabrian Mountains.
• Cierzo: Wind from the NW. Cold and dry and blows across the Ebro Valley.
• Gale: Wind from SW or NW. Gusty winds accompanied by intense storm at sea. Affects the northern coasts of the peninsula.
• Galleo: Wind from the E-SE. Cold gusty wind that blows across the Duero valley.
• Gabrí: Gentle wind from the E-Se that blows along the east coast and the Catalan coasts....
• Levante: Wind from the east, persistent, humid and intensely gusty. It blows along all the coasts of eastern Andalusia, Murcia and Gibraltar.
• Leveche: Wind from the E-SE fresh and humid. It is blowing along the coasts of Murcia and Alicante.
• Llevant: Wind from NE . Cool and damp accompanied by a strong storm. It crosses Catalonia and the Balearic Islands.
• Matacabras: Gusty wind from the E that blows across the Gulf of Cádiz.
• Maestral: Wind from the NW. Gusty with gale across the north of Catalonia.
• Moncayo: A cold and dry NW wind that blows through Zaragoza and the Ebro Valley.
• Westerly: Westerly wind that crosses the peninsula dragging the Atlantic squalls.
• Solano: Inland wind from the E that blows through CLM and Extremadura.
• Tramontana: A cold, gusty northerly wind that blows across northern Catalonia and the Balearic Islands.
• Gale: gusty and hurricane-force wind from the SE that blows through the Guadalquivir valley and the Gulf of Cádiz.
• Xaloc: SE wind that blows along the entire eastern coast of the peninsula, warm and humid.

Maritime and "Terrestrial" Winds

In coastal regions, winds can be classified according to their origin and their effects on the local climate. Maritime winds are those that bring with them humidity and, often, rain. Examples of these are the westerly and southwesterly winds, which particularly affect Galicia and the Cantabrian coast, as well as the easterlies that hit the Mediterranean coasts.

On the other hand, "terrestrial" winds are dry and warm, blowing from the interior towards the coasts. These winds are common in the summer months and can create extremely hot conditions in coastal areas. In the Cantabrian Sea, for example, the terral blows from the south, while in Levante it blows from the west, and in southern Spain, as in Malaga and Almeria, it blows from the north.

Winds in Spain are more than just air currents; they are phenomena deeply rooted in the country's culture and climate. Knowing about them and understanding their behaviour is crucial for local climate management and for the proper management of agricultural and urban activities. Whether it is a gentle wind that brings humidity or a dry wind that warms the coasts, each plays a vital role in shaping the Spanish landscape.

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