The municipality of Los Montesinos is located in the province of Alicante in the Costa Blanca region of south-eastern Spain. Los Montesinos itself is a small town located a short drive from the coastal city of Torrevieja and about 30 miles from the capital of the province, Alicante.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />
Los Montesinos experiences a mixed climate blending characteristics of Mediterranean and semi-arid climates, with the long, hot summers and mild winters typical of such climates. Rainfall is low year-round, with a particularly dry summer, and winter rainfall is lower than that found in more classically Mediterranean climates.
Summer
Summer in Los Montesinos lasts from late-May to September and brings hot and dry weather. Temperatures range from the mid-twenties to the mid-thirties. The summer season starts in mid-May, with average temperatures of 24°C climbing to 28°C in June. May sees the last of the spring rains, with rainfall levels of 33mm. In June this drops off dramatically, with an average of just 17mm kicking off the dry summer months.
The weather in the months of June, July and August is remarkably dry, with average rainfall of just 6-8mm in July and August. This is thanks in part to the shielding effects of the hills found to the north and west of Alicante province. July and August are the hottest months of the year, with average temperatures of 30°C and 31°C respectively. Temperatures often reach the mid-thirties during the hottest part of the day, and visitors can expect ten to eleven hours of sunshine per day during the summer months. The heat is tempered somewhat by the presence of a salt lake which sits between Los Montesinos and Torrevieja, which allows cooling sea breezes to drift inland unimpeded.
Sea temperature at nearby beaches is highest in July, August and September when temperatures of at least 24°C can be found.
Temperatures in September remain very high, with an average temperature of 29°C. However, September sees rainfall rise dramatically, with 47mm the average rainfall. Although this is much higher than the levels found in July and August, it is fairly low compared with the wet season in many other Mediterranean resorts which often see double that in the wet months.
Autumn
Temperatures in October and November are less unforgiving, with averages of 25°C and 20°C respectively meaning that the weather is pleasant but not uncomfortable. October and November are, however, fairly wet. October is the wettest month of the year, with 52mm of rainfall the average. However, this is lower than other Mediterranean resorts and slightly lower than that found in temperate climates such as Britain.
Winter
Winter, from December to February, sees mild weather and rainfall levels drop. Average temperatures of around 18°C mean that daytimes temperatures can be very pleasant, and six hours of sunshine per day can be expected. Nights can, however, be quite cool. Average rainfall of just 26mm means that showers are infrequent and brief.
Spring
March and April comprise the brief spring, which brings warm temperatures averaging 21°C and 24°C respectively. Visitors can expect eight or nine hours of sunshine per day, and rainfall is fairly low meaning spring can be a great time to experience warm, sunny weather without the summer crowds.