Varieties, climate of the coast, in the south, in the north
Above Carmel the coast tract is decidedly less hot than the region south of it, and becomes cooler and cooler as we proceed northwards. Northern Phoenicia enjoys a climate that is delightful, and in which it would be difficult to suggest much improvement. The summer heat is scarcely ever too great, the thermometer rarely exceeding 90º of Fahrenheit, and often sinking below 70º. Refreshing showers of rain frequently fall, and the breezes from the north, the east, and the south-east, coming from high mountain tracts which are in part snow- clad, temper the heat of the sun's rays and prevent it from being oppressive. The winter temperature seldom descends much below 50º; and thus the orange, the lemon and the date-palm flourish in the open air, and the gardens are bright with flowers even in December and January. Snow falls occasionally, but it rarely lies on the ground for more than a few days, and is scarcely ever so much as a foot deep. On the other hand, rain is expected during the winter-time, and the entire line of coast is visited for some months with severe storms and gales, accompanied often by thunder and violent rain,
which
strew the shore with wrecks and turn even insignificant mountain streams
into raging torrents. The storms come chiefly from the west and north-west,
quarters to which the harbours on the coast are unfortunately open. Navigation
consequently suffers interruption; but when once the winter is past, a season
of tranquillity sets in, and for many months of the year--at any rate from
May to October--the barometer scarcely varies, the sky is unclouded, and
rain all but unknown.