Alpes de Haute-Provence - Descriptifs généraux

GENERAL DESCRIPTIONS

CLIMATE AND WEATHER REPORT

The overall climate of the Alpes de Haute-Provence is Mediterranean, characterised by dry summers, high temperatures, and more than 300 sunny days per year.
Between the height of summer and the depths of winter the climate is mild and the beauty of the natural environment is sublime : a myriad of blossoming flowers in the spring ; tawny hues in the autumn. The very hot summers are interrupted by violent convection storms.
The climate of the "département"'s north-eastern corner is influenced by the mountains. Whereas the Mistral - lou mestre, the master in Provençal - blows in the West, valley breezes predominate in the alpine areas. Precipitation varies between 700 and 1,000 mm annually in the South, but can reach 1,200 mm in Ubaye or Allos Valley. Snow often falls as early as November and remains for several months in the highest valleys where the ski resorts are located. All the rivers are torrential, and in the summer their broad dry beds can be engulfed with impressive quantities of water in just a few hours.
Nevertheless, the low level of air humidity, the exceptionally high number of sunny days per year, and the absence of any pollution make the Alpes de Haute-Provence a little paradise where the climate is perfect for recharging your batteries.