In the southern desert, it rains on average only 1 inch (25 mm) per year. In the northern hills, precipitation can reach up to 44 inches (1,120 mm) a year. Tel Aviv, along the coast, receives an average rainfall of 20 inches (508 mm) per year. Even though Israel covers a small geographic area, it has a surprisingly varied climate around the country. It enjoys a Mediterranean climate along the coast, a harsh desert environment in its southern half, and a more temperate zone in the north. Despite this variation, the entire country shares two distinct seasons: cooler winters with rain (even snow in some places) only between October and April, and very hot summers without any precipitation at all between May and September.