Discussion about the existence of a coastal pluviometric ridge in Galicia, Spain

Abstract

Discussion about the existence of a coastal pluviometric ridge in Galicia-Spain. We try to explain the high precipitation recordered at Bugarín (Cercedo, Pontevedra, Spain), west Atlantic Spanish coast. Wind trajectories for rainy days are found to be modified by valley orientation. A good correlation is found between altitude and precipitation but two raingauges (one in Bugarín) show abnormally high residuals. As both sites are 25 Km. from the coast remountinfr their respective valleys, a coastal pluviometric ridge may be the reason for these residuals. Because of the less density of raingauges, no more sites are found in similar positions to cofirm it. If the phenomenon were confirrned, precipitation estimated for higher si tes near Bugarín ( «Sierra de Cando») would be the pluviometric maximum for peninsular Spain.