Climate

Despite Europe's northerly location, much of the continent has an agreeable climate. This is due largely to the temperate influence of the ocean and seas.

A marine climate blankets western Europe from northern Spain to central Norway. Here, the warmth of the North Atlantic Current is carried far inland by westerly winds. All months have average temperatures above freezing. Summers are cool and winters are mild. Rain falls during all months, but snow is uncommon. Humidity is high; there are many foggy days; and the sky is often cloudy. A similar climate occurs along the Pacific coast of the United States from northern California to the Canadian border.