E U R O P E : C l i m a t e  &  W e a t h e r

» Norwegian harbors hundreds of miles north of the Arctic Circle rarely freeze. But cold winds sweep down from the Arctic and clash with this the vapor above this warm water creating an almost constant drizzle over much of northern and central Europe . The result is generally cooler, wetter, and more changeable weather than in America during the summer, but the winters are not nearly as harsh. For example, London , about 800 miles further north than Chicago , has average January temperatures about 15 degrees warmer and it seldom freezes. Chicago can be subfreezing for weeks on end, and intermittently for six months. As you go east and get deeper into Europe , you get away from the influences of the ocean and the weather becomes more extreme in summer and winter. Going south, the Alps and the Pyrenees mountain ranges block the north winds giving the Mediterranean areas hot summers and mild winters.