Climate of Ams

The climate in Ams is defined as a temperate oceanic climate, a classification it shares with most of north-west Europe. Regional climates are influenced by the Atlantic Ocean and latitude. The north and western parts of the country, more noticeably further north are generally the mildest and wettest regions of Ams. Southern and eastern areas are generally drier and less windy. Northern areas are generally cooler and wetter.

Ams is mostly under the influence of the maritime polar airmass from the north-west. The north west and far north of Ams are the most exposed to the mass, which brings cool moist air. North-east Ams is more exposed to the continental polar air mass which brings cold dry air. The south-west, south and south eastern portion of the country are least exposed to air masses from the north west, and on occassion see contiental air masses from the European continent, which bring warm dry air in the summer.

If the air masses are strong enough in their respective areas during summer, there can be large differences in temperature between the far north of Ams and the south of Ams - often a different of around 10C, but sometimes more in the height of summer. Parts of the far north could experience temperatures of around 16C, while areas near the capital could reach 30C. Although southern and south eastern areas are closest to the hottest southerly airmasses in the summer, it is not unusual for areas further west, particularly around the capital and Heartstown to experience the hottest temperatures as the texture of the ground in western areas retains more heat, compared to other areas. The urban heat island effect (UHI) also comes into effect, making the respective cities 1-4°C warmer than areas just 20km away.

Seasons
Spring is the period from March to May. Spring is generally a calm, cool seasson. As the sun rises higher and the days get longer, temperatures gradually rise.

There is a fair chance of snow earlier in the season, often in March, more particularly towards the north and on higher ground, but widespread snow showers right up to April are not a rare occurence even far south.

Early spring can be rather cold, temperatures below freezing are not a rare occurence and temperatures struggle to make double digits, even in the far south.

Mean temperatures are influenced by latitude. Most of northern Ams and the valleys of the north west are the coolest areas, with average temperatures ranging from 1-5C. The southern half of the country experiences the warmest spring temperatures of between 8-10C, on average.

Summer
Summer lasts from June to August and is the warmest and usually the sunniest season. Thundershowers are not a rare occurence, and usually occur in southern and central Ams. Temperatures are highest in the south and central areas, and lowest in the north. Hot weather above 27C frequently occurs, and temperatures above 30C occur from time to time, more frequently in the capital, Ams City, and the south.

Autumn
Autumn lasts from September to November, the season is usually rather unsettled due to cooler air moving southwards.

Storms and Atlantic depressions play an influence on weather in Ams, and can be disruptive. They usually impact western and northern areas the most.

Autumn can sometimes be a cool season, frost and hill snow is not unheard of, starting in late October and early November.

However, it's not rare for autumn to be warmer than average - the warmest of coniditions are expected in the early part of the season.

Winter
Winter in Ams lasts from December to February. The season is generally cool, wet, windy and cloudy. Temperatures at night rarely drop below -10C, and day temperatures rarely rise abov e15C. Precipitation can be plentiful during the season, with heavy snowfall common in the northern valleys and Venica ranges. For areas away from the north, snow is not particulary frequent, but not impossible.

Climate data from selected stations
Ams City

Heartstown Venica