Editing Crimea (section)

===Climate===
[[File:Novyi Svit IMG 2941 1725.jpg|thumb|Crimea's Southern Coast has a subtropical climate]]
Crimea is located between the [[temperate]] and [[subtropical climate]] belts and is characterized by warm and sunny weather.<ref name=crimeaclimate>{{cite web|url= http://old.crimea-portal.gov.ua/index.php?&v=8&tek=28&par=8&f=us |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100901153138/http://old.crimea-portal.gov.ua/index.php?&v=8&tek=28&par=8&f=us |archive-date= 1 September 2010 |title= Description of the Crimean Climate |publisher= Autonomous Republic of Crimea Information Portal |access-date= 1 October 2016 |url-status= dead }}</ref> It is characterized by diversity and the presence of microclimates.<ref name=crimeaclimate/> The northern parts of Crimea have a moderate [[continental climate]] with short but cold winters and moderately hot dry summers.<ref name=crimeageography>{{cite web|url= http://old.crimea-portal.gov.ua/index.php?&v=8&tek=27&par=8&art=3&date=&f=us |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100903233704/http://old.crimea-portal.gov.ua/index.php?&v=8&tek=27&par=8&art=3&date=&f=us |archive-date= 3 September 2010 |title= Geographical Survey of the Crimean region |publisher= Autonomous Republic of Crimea Information Portal |access-date= 1 October 2016 |url-status= dead }}</ref> In the central and mountainous areas the climate is transitional between the continental climate to the north and the [[Mediterranean climate]] to the south.<ref name=crimeageography/> Winters are mild at lower altitudes (in the foothills) and colder at higher altitudes.<ref name=crimeageography/> Summers are hot at lower altitudes and warm in the mountains.<ref name=crimeageography/> A subtropical, Mediterranean climate dominates the southern coastal regions, is characterized by mild winters and moderately hot, dry summers.<ref name=crimeageography/>

The climate of Crimea is influenced by its geographic location, relief, and influences from the [[Black Sea]].<ref name=crimeaclimate/> The Southern Coast is shielded from cold air masses coming from the north and, as a result, has milder winters.<ref name=crimeaclimate/> Maritime influences from the Black Sea are restricted to coastal areas; in the interior of the peninsula the maritime influence is weak and does not play an important role.<ref name=crimeaclimate/> Because a high-pressure system is located north of Crimea in both summer and winter, winds predominantly come from the north and northeast year-round.<ref name=crimeaclimate/> In winter these winds bring in cold, dry continental air, while in summer they bring in dry and hot weather.<ref name=crimeaclimate/> Winds from the northwest bring warm and wet air from the Atlantic Ocean, causing precipitation during spring and summer.<ref name=crimeaclimate/> As well, winds from the southwest bring very warm and wet air from the subtropical latitudes of the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean sea and cause precipitation during fall and winter.<ref name=crimeaclimate/>

Mean annual temperatures range from {{convert|10|°C|°F|1}} in the far north ([[Armiansk]]) to {{convert|13|°C|°F|1}} in the far south ([[Yalta]]).<ref name=crimeaclimate/> In the mountains, the mean annual temperature is around {{convert|5.7|°C|°F|1}}.<ref name=crimeaclimate/> For every {{convert|100|m|ft|abbr= on}} increase in altitude, temperatures decrease by {{convert|0.65|C-change|2}} while precipitation increases.<ref name=crimeaclimate/> In January mean temperatures range from {{convert|-3|°C|°F|1}} in Armiansk to {{convert|4.4|°C|°F|1}} in [[Myskhor]].<ref name=crimeaclimate/> Cool-season temperatures average around {{convert|7|°C|°F|1}} and it is rare for the weather to drop below freezing except in the mountains, where there is usually snow.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.blacksea-crimea.com/climate.html |title= Climate in Crimea, Weather in Yalta: How Often Does it Rain in Crimea? |publisher= Blacksea-crimea.com |access-date= 10 April 2014 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100303193251/http://www.blacksea-crimea.com/climate.html |archive-date= 3 March 2010 |url-status= usurped }}</ref> In July mean temperatures range from {{convert|15.4|°C|°F|1}} in [[Ai-Petri]] to {{convert|23.4|°C|°F|1}} in the central parts of Crimea to {{convert|24.4|°C|°F|1}} in Myskhor.<ref name=crimeaclimate/> The frost-free period ranges from 160 to 200 days in the steppe and mountain regions to 240–260 days on the south coast.<ref name=crimeaclimate/>

Precipitation in Crimea varies significantly based on location; it ranges from {{convert|310|mm|in|1}} in [[Chornomorske]] to {{convert|1220|mm|in|1}} at the highest altitudes in the Crimean mountains.<ref name=crimeaclimate/> The Crimean mountains greatly influence the amount of precipitation present in the peninsula.<ref name=crimeaclimate/> However, most of Crimea (88.5%) receives {{convert|300|to|500|mm|in|1}} of precipitation per year.<ref name=crimeaclimate/> The plains usually receive {{convert|300|to|400|mm|in|1}} of precipitation per year, increasing to {{convert|560|mm|in|1}} in the southern coast at sea level.<ref name=crimeaclimate/> The western parts of the Crimean mountains receive more than {{convert|1000|mm|in|1}} of precipitation per year.<ref name=crimeaclimate/> Snowfall is common in the mountains during winter.<ref name=crimeageography/>

Most of the peninsula receives more than 2,000 sunshine hours per year; it reaches up to 2,505 sunshine hours in [[Qarabiy yayla]] in the Crimean Mountains.<ref name=crimeaclimate/> As a result, the climate favors recreation and tourism.<ref name=crimeaclimate/> Because of its climate and subsidized travel-packages from Russian state-run companies, the southern coast has remained a popular resort for Russian tourists.<ref>{{cite news|url= http://www.ibtimes.com/russia-ukraine-update-crimea-attracts-more-4-million-tourists-despite-annexation-2141287|work= International Business Times |title= Russia-Ukraine Update: Crimea Attracts More Than 4 Million Tourists Despite Annexation| date= 14 October 2015| access-date= 1 May 2016}}</ref>