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Climate type

Hot semi-arid climate

BSh Köppen code BSh

Dry grassland and steppe — hotter and a touch wetter than true desert. Cities with this climate include Sevilla, Palma, Funchal.

Example cities with this climate

Sevilla
Spain — pop 687k
Palma
Spain — pop 438k
Funchal
Portugal — pop 106k

What this climate is like

Dry grassland and steppe — hotter and a touch wetter than true desert.

🌡️

Temperatures

Hot most of the year — summers regularly 32–38°C (90–100°F), winters mild. Like a hot desert with a touch more moisture.

🌧️

Rainfall and seasons

More rain than BWh but still well below temperate norms — typically 250–500 mm a year, usually concentrated in a short wet season.

🌎

Where in the world

The Sahel, parts of southern Spain, the US Texas / Oklahoma Panhandle, inland India, and northern Australia margins.

SahelSouthern SpainUS southern plainsInland IndiaNorthern Australia margins

A typical year, in two recognisable cities — coolest and warmest month averages:

Sevilla Spain
11°C Coolest month
29°C Warmest month
Funchal Portugal
17°C Coolest month
24°C Warmest month
A climate type is a broad summary. For exact month-by-month temperatures, rainfall, sunshine and records, open a city's own climate page.

What it means for you

Whether you're thinking of moving, gardening or travelling.

🏠 Living here

Hot, dry and dusty — drought is a recurring issue. Comfortable winters; tough, sun-blasted summers.

🌱 Gardening

Native grasses, drought-tolerant shrubs and hardy fruit trees (figs, pomegranate, olives) do well. Vegetable gardens need irrigation.

✈️ Travel

Cool half of the year is comfortable; summer is hot and dusty. Watch for wet-season storms during the short rainy stretch.

Browse cities with this climate

Popular cities with this climate

Sevilla
Spain
Palma
Spain
Funchal
Portugal
Athens
Greece
Nicosia
Cyprus
Tucson
United States

All 543 cities, across 67 countries — open a country to see its list.

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Explore further

Compare two cities →
Put a hot semi-arid city next to your home town.
Browse all climate types →
The five climate families and every climate type within them.
Hot desert →
Very little rain and very hot — summer highs above 38°C (100°F).
Cold semi-arid →
Dry steppe with cold winters and warm-to-hot summers.