Editing Provence (section)

=== Alpes-de-Haute-Provence ===
The department of [[Alpes-de-Haute-Provence]] has a Mediterranean climate in the lower valleys under one thousand metres in altitude and an [[alpine climate]] in the high valleys, such as the valleys of the Blanche, the Haut Verdon and the [[Ubaye Valley|Ubaye]], which are over 2500 metres high. The alpine climate in the higher mountains is moderated by the warmer air from the Mediterranean.

Haute-Provence has unusually high summer temperatures for its altitude and latitude ([[44th parallel north|44 degrees north]]). The average summer temperature is 22 to 23&nbsp;°C. at an altitude of 400 metres, and 18 to 19&nbsp;°C. at the altitude of 1000 metres; and the winter average temperature is 4 to 5&nbsp;°C. at 400 metres and 0 C. at 1000 metres. The lower valleys have 50 days of freezing temperatures a year, more in the higher valleys. Sometimes the temperatures in the high valleys can reach −30&nbsp;°C. Because of this combination of high mountains and Mediterranean air, it is not unusual that the region frequently has some of the lowest winter temperatures and some of the hottest summer temperatures in France.

Rainfall in Haute-Provence is infrequent – 60 to 80 days a year – but can be torrential; 650 to 900&nbsp;mm. a year in the foothills and plateaus of the southwest, and in the valley of the Ubaye; and 900 to 1500&nbsp;mm. in the mountains. Most rainfall comes in the autumn, in brief and intense storms; from mid-June to mid-August, rain falls during brief but violent thunderstorms. Thunder can be heard 30 to 40 days a year.

Snow falls in the mountains from November to May, and in midwinter can be found down to altitude of 1000–1200 metres on the shady side of the mountains and 1300 to 1600 metres on the sunny side. Snowfalls are usually fairly light, and melt rapidly.

The [[Mistral (wind)|mistral]], a wind blowing from the north and the northwest, is a feature of the climate in the western part of the department, bringing clear and dry weather. The eastern part of the department is more protected from the mistral. A southerly wind known as the [[Marin (wind)|marin]] brings warm air, clouds and rain.

Haute-Provence is one of the sunniest regions of France, with an average of between 2,550 and 2,650 hours of sunshine annually in the north of the department, and 2,700 to 2,800 hours in the southwest. The clear nights and sunny days cause a sharp difference between nighttime and daytime temperatures. Because of the clear nights, the region is home of important observatories, such as the [[Observatory of Haute-Provence]] in Saint-Michel-Observatoire near [[Forcalquier]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.infoclimat.fr/climatologie/index.php?s=07588&aff=details |title=Infoclimat – Météo en temps réel – observations previsions climatologie forum |language=fr |publisher=Infoclimat.fr |access-date=18 August 2010}}</ref>