Monaco is considered to have Subtropical/Mediterranean climate which is characterized by warm to hot, dry summers and mild to cool, wet winters. Mediterranean climate zones are associated with the five large subtropical high pressure cells of the oceans, the Azores High, South Atlantic High, North Pacific High, South Pacific High, and Indian Ocean High.
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| Areas with Mediterranean climate around the world http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Medclim.png |
During the Summer season warmer air is pushed in from the south and the west going form the high pressure zone to the low pressure zone. During the winter, the cold air moves down from the north along with the pressure zones. Most of the precipitations that Monaco gets come in the form or rain from Moisture carried north from the Mediterranean sea. When the due point reaches a 100 % due to low temperature fronts from the north Monaco gets its winter wet season. The temperature usually does not get low enough for precipitation in the form of snow although it does happen one or twice a decade.
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| Winter pressure patterns |
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| Summer pressure patterns |
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Daily temperatures however are more controlled by the latitudinal region that Monaco is found in. Monaco is located at 43 degrees north and at this latitude the radiation pattern controls the daily highs as discussed in previous blog. Although it sees a considerable change in yearly temperature, Monaco is not very susceptible to storms. The major cyclones and hurricanes that form in the Atlantic Ocean dissipate due to lack of moisture once they make landfall on the western coasts of Europe. By the time the hurricane get close to the western coast of France and Portugal, the water temperature cools taking away the latent heat needed to drive them further. a On a smaller scale however, Monaco is affect by major currents in the Mediterranean Sea
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