Many types of winds are distinguished, and one of them is the offshore. It occurs downwind of mountain systems or ranges, and is especially typical in coastal areas that are surrounded by mountains.
Let's know more about this local wind that occurs especially in the south of the Iberian Peninsula, and more specifically in the province of Malaga.
How did the terral originate?
At night, the surface of the sea retains the heat it has collected during the day for longer, while the land cools quickly. The warm air of the sea rises, and the colder air coming from the ground takes its place.
It is often thought that this is a hot wind because it comes from Africa, but the truth is very few times that warm wind with low relative humidity comes from the south. The terral is a wind that comes from the North or Northwest.
Still, it is a type of wind that does not usually like anything. Some say that it makes you feel apathetic, with the only desire to take a fan and cool off while you have a soda, yes, protected from it.
There are different types?
The truth is, yes. The terral, which has a North component, is a wind that is divided into two types: warm in summer and cold in winter.
Warm summer terral
This type is characterized by being very dry and warm. When descending the slopes of the mountains that surround the valley, the air is heated by adiabatic compression. This means that, due to the sudden increase in pressure, it gains a lot of energy that it cannot release, so it must be thermodynamically compensated with the loss of humidity and with the increase in internal temperature, which is known as the Foehn Effect. Thus, the surface of the water is displaced towards the sea, so that the deeper cold waters rise, causing that, despite the fact that it is very hot, the surface of the sea is increasingly cold. This phenomenon is known as the Upwelling phenomenon.
Its presence causes the highest temperatures in the Peninsula to be recorded.
At the same time, two types must be distinguished:
- One that comes from the Atlantic and penetrates through Galicia, crossing the entire Iberian Peninsula.
- Another, known to the people of Malaga, who comes from the west and that, upon reaching the coast of Portugal, turns, stops in a runoff entering the north of Malaga, where the temperature rises. Then, it continues advancing towards the Malaga plain, becoming a north wind. As a curiosity, to say that this type of wind in Malaga is quite local, and appears in a certain coastal strip. In fact, it does not always reach Rincón de la Victoria, which is about 10km to the east.
The people of Malaga often say that the "west is terrified" when the west component winds turn northwest or north-northwest, thus producing the phenomenon of the terral.
Cold winter terral
This type of wind is much more frequent, with a maximum of 38% in January and a minimum of 4% in July. It occurs in fall and spring, and it is characterized by being a dry, strongly gusty wind that leaves the sky completely clear. It is produced by a distant storm, which, if the appropriate conditions are met, can favor the formation of lenticular clouds. Of course, while the rest of the country are enjoying (some more than others) the winter itself, with low temperatures and even frost, in Malaga thanks to this wind they do not need to take out their warm clothes). Two types can also be distinguished:
- Catabatic or drainage wind: it arises from the gravitation of cold air, which descends down the slopes of the mountains towards the coast.
- Another is that of continental winds that cross Europe and make their entry through the Pyrenees. When they bring traces of moisture, turbulence occurs in the lee of the mountains and, to the windward, stagnant cloudiness.
Is the terral good for surfing?
Despite forcing everyone who is in Malaga to make a change in their daily routine, according to experts, this it is one of the best winds for surfingbut only if it blows lightly. In fact, there are experts who believe that the most suitable day to practice this sport is when there is hardly any wind blowing.
So, if you want to enjoy your favorite sport, going to Malaga in summer is one of the best options 😉
So far our special on one of the most important local winds in Spain, the terral. Important ... and unpleasant for many, but typical of the peninsular area where they enjoy a warm Mediterranean climate, without extreme minimum temperatures. And you, have you ever heard of him?