From the climatic point of view, Europe – although it is almost entirely included in the temperate climate zone – can be divided into three major domains: that of the temperate oceanic or Atlantic climate, that of Mediterranean Europe, subtropical, and that of continental Europe. Oriental. The dividing lines between these three areas are not clear-cut (even if the Alps have an important diaphragmatic function) and various transition zones are inserted in them. However, it is between the air masses of these three domains that the climatic mechanism of Europe takes place. regions open to the Atlantic, North and Northwest of the Alps. Atlantic air are pushed by cyclonic motions towards E (western winds) and their influence is interrupted during the year by cold and dry air masses of continental origin in the plains of eastern Europe defined by COUNTRYAAH. These manifest themselves in winter as anticyclones sweeping all of Eastern Europe, making their effects felt also in Central Europe and marginally to the S of the Alps; therefore there are winters with clear but cold skies, which contrast with the humid and foggy ones of Atlantic Europe. The grip of the continental anticyclone loosens in spring, with the lowering of the high pressures on the great Sarmatic plains: then the Atlantic air penetrates and with this begins the characteristic rainy season of Eastern Europe. In the Mediterranean area, the tropical anticyclone keeps the summers in conditions of great climatic stability: it is the dry and hot season that is interrupted with the imposition of the air masses of Atlantic origin responsible for the rainy winter season, typical of this ‘area. The Mediterranean climate is felt in the areas closest to the sea of the three great peninsulas of southern Europe; in the internal part of them there are transitional areas, Atlantic in the Iberian region, continental in the Balkan region and in northern Italy (in this regard we speak of a Padano-Balkan climatic subtype).
The altitudinal and latitudinal factors, regardless of the play of the air masses, have considerable prominence in Europe. The northern extremity of the continent is part of the great subarctic belt; the southern one is now in subtropical latitudes. The annual and seasonal thermal values are therefore very different between the two parts. In Stockholm the averages oscillate between January and July respectively between -7 ° C and +15 ° C; those of Cadiz between 12 ° C and 25 ° C. There the southern one is now in subtropical latitudes. The annual and seasonal thermal values are therefore very different between the two parts. In Stockholm the averages oscillate between January and July respectively between -7 ° C and +15 ° C; those of Cadiz between 12 ° C and 25 ° C. There the southern one is now in subtropical latitudes. The annual and seasonal thermal values are therefore very different between the two parts. In Stockholm the averages oscillate between January and July respectively between -7 ° C and +15 ° C; those of Cadiz between 12 ° C and 25 ° C. There continentality of Eastern Europe accentuates seasonal (and daily) changes: in Moscow, located approx. at the latitude of Copenhagen, the averages of January and July are respectively -10 ° C and +17 ° C, those of Denmark are -2 ° C and +15 ° C. On the contrary, the oceanic influence exceptionally mitigates the climate of the British Isles even at latitudes slightly below those of Moscow (in London the averages for January and July oscillate between 5 ° C and 17 ° C); the Gulf Stream it is largely the cause of this extraordinary softening, which is felt even on the Norwegian coast. The temperate influences of the Atlantic, albeit to a lesser extent, are perceptible from the North Sea to the Alps and, towards the E, beyond the Elbe. The altitude factor assumes considerable importance especially in the Alps, an extensive region with very high areas. Currently the limit of the perennial snows, in the course of the historical epochs significantly changed several times, is around 3000 m; hence the presence of conspicuous glacial masses, even if, starting from the 2000s, the progressive global warming of the Earth has contributed to a notable decrease in these glaciers. As far as rainfall is concerned, the contrasts are significant passing from Atlantic Europe (annual values between 1000 and 2000 mm according to the zones and the altitude) to Eastern Europe and Mediterranean Europe. In the latter, average values never exceeding 700 mm are recorded, with minimums that drop (in the Ebro depression, Iberian Peninsula) to 300-400 mm. In Eastern Europe, rainfall never exceeds 1000 mm and generally decreases from West to East and from North to South; however, they fall in spring, that is, at the most favorable time for crops. In the Po-Balkan area, the contribution of summer rains from localized storm disturbances, which are also advantageous for crops, is important. Certainly the part subject to the temperate climate, with rainfall falling throughout the year, is the most favored from the agricultural point of view.