The sea and the mountains produce contrasts between the interior and the coastal fringes. Several areas have the winter rainfall maximum typical of the Mediterranean regime, and summer drought is widespread. However, the elevation of the country ensures that winters are often much colder than is common in Mediterranean climates, and there are significant contrasts between winter and summer temperatures. The duration of snow cover ranges from two weeks in the warmer areas to four months in some mountainous areas in the east.
Climatic regions Contrasts between the interior and the coasts produce six main climatic regions.
The Black Sea coastlands are the wettest region, with rain throughout the year and a winter maximum. Annual totals exceed 32 inches, reaching 96 inches in the east. Thrace and Marmara are influenced by winter depressions passing through the straits, but summers are drier than along the Black Sea. Annual precipitation ranges from 24 to 36 inches, with a pronounced winter maximum. The Aegean coastlands have a Mediterranean regime.