Chapter 3 Relations between variability in the Mediterranean region and mid-latitude variability

Publisher Summary The Mediterranean climate is under the influence of both tropical and mid-latitude climate dynamics, being directly affected by continental and maritime air masses with significant origin differences. The peak of the winter season occurs between December and February, when the mid-latitude cyclone belt has usually reached its southernmost position. However, spring and autumn also contribute to a significant amount of precipitation. Being located at the southern limit of the North Atlantic storm tracks; the Mediterranean region is particularly sensitive to interannual shifts in the trajectories of mid-latitude cyclones that can lead to the remarkable anomalies of precipitation and, to a lesser extent, of temperature. Storm-track variability impacts primarily the western Mediterranean, but it hasa signature clearly detected in the eastern Mediterranean as well. The complex orography that characterizes most regions surrounding the Mediterranean basin can modulate and even distort climate anomaly patterns that otherwise would be geographically much more homogenous. Lack of water in winter and spring reflects in the crop yield. However, too much water in winter is harmful by drowning the seeds and retarding root development. The variability of precipitation plays a crucial role in the management of regional agriculture, in environment, in water resources and ecosystems, as well as social development and behavior.