Property News
Sun always shines in Marbella
With summer in full swing, holidaymakers enjoying the sunshine in the south of France, Portugal and even Mallorca might find it hard to believe it could ever be cold on these beaches.
But come the winter months these resorts are entirely transformed.
Everywhere is nice in summer but out of season these great holiday spots often have bad winters and are normally cold, wet and windy.
This is where Marbella comes into it own. Marbella is unique in Europe for maintaining a year round climate.
While you might get the odd shower between November and March it generally does not rain at all in Marbella throughout the rest of the year.
In fact, the charming resort boasts an amazing 320 days of sunshine per year.
Part of this is thanks to its unique situation nestled between the coastline and the Sierra Blanca Mountains which block any cold gusts of wind, and create an appealing micro-climate, with plenty of sunny weather and an balmy average temperature of 22ºC rising to the mid-high 20s in July and August.
Moreover sea temperatures rarely fall below 20ºC; meaning a dip in the Med is possible at any time of the year.
It is certainly no surprise where the Costa del Sol gets its name as the sun coast.
In comparison, the south of France also boasts hot summers with little rain, but here, when it rains it pours.
Winters in the region can be mild but this pleasant weather is often interrupted by a cold and blustery spell brought in by the northerly ‘mistral’ wind.
So, while some areas of the coast can be more protected that others there are bound to be days when you have to wrap up warm even in spring.
Similarly, Mallorca for the most part enjoys the typical Mediterranean climate of hot, dry summers and mild winters however the temperature drops considerably at night in winter.
Depending where on the island you are staying it can even get down to freezing making a jumper and a jacket essential.
Moreover, autumnal weather in Mallorca, particular in October, can be extreme.
Something which is often forgotten by holidaymakers is that Mallorca usually experiences around up to six tornadoes a year.
Of these, around 30% are considered to be strong (113-180km/hr), however, the weaker ones can still cause damage.
There are also hail storms that can occur between March and April and November and December.
Meanwhile Portugal has a complete range of weather conditions, unusual in such a small country.
On the whole the north has cooler temperatures than the south and sees significantly more rainfall but even the areas south of Lisbon see wet and windy winters with average temperatures of around 10ºC.
Certainly, those wanting to buy a place in the sun need to consider exactly how much sun there is going to be.
A place that is perfect in the summer might be very different in the winter.
Marbella is one of the few places that can truly boast of having year round sunshine and it is for this reason, as well as many others, that it is a resort that will never go out of fashion.
By Adam Neale | Property News | July 19th, 2013
