Climate of Hungary

[1][2] In 2007, Hungary was ranked sixth in an environmental protection index by Globalwatch and Climate Action Network.

[citation needed] The depressions of the temperate zone follow the path of the westerly winds and bring heavy rains to the country.

The surrounding mountain ranges modify the impact of winds and other climatic forces progressing toward the country.

Hungary's climate is influenced by two more or less permanent action centres of the temperate zone, the Icelandic Low and the Azores High.

Depressions originating from the Iceland zone travel across the country, bringing cool weather and rain.

Even in Hungary, the temperature is warmer than, for example, neighbouring Austria because of the south flow over the Alps of the Gulf Stream.

For instance, the mean temperature in Southern England, Massif Central in France, and Switzerland is the same, but in Hungary, there are much greater extremes from summer to winter.

[5][6] The wind exerts a strong influence on the other climatic elements by its velocity, direction, and ability to mobilize the air masses.

The number of rainy days is over 100 in the southwestern borderland, as well as in the area of the Mátra and Bükk mountains, but less than 80 along the middle section of the river Tisza.

Low precipitation, heat, and strong evaporation make the Great Hungarian Plain very dusty in summer.

In winter, from the end of November to the beginning of March, precipitation falls partly in the form of snow.

The thinnest snow cover is found in the eastern region of the Great Plain (with the annual average being 4 centimetres (1.6 in)).

The relief energy of Hungary, that is, the differences in altitude in the country (in other words, its hydroelectric potential), is relatively small.