its location in the mid-Atlantic Ocean and infuence from the Gulf Stream, averaging in its coldest month, February, and frosts never occur other than at high altitude. For comparison, Ocean City, Maryland, at a similar latitude, is colder in its coldest month, averaging only . Summers are warm and relatively dry. Temperatures are moderated year-round, never too hot or too cold, daily temperatures are also moderated, with only difference between highs and lows. Average relative humidity remains high at around 80% and insolation is relatively low with around 1800–1900 hours of annual sunshine, similar to locations in coastal northwestern Europe such as Nantes, France, although the sun is stronger in Faial because of its lower latitude. Precipitation is plentiful especially in the winter months, averaging annually. At higher altitudes (e.g. Caldeira Volcano) temperatures are cooler, precipitation and humidity are increasingly higher and fog is very common. Ecoregions/Protected areas In 2008, the Regional Government of the Azores established a comprehensive administrative framework to administer and promote the various environmental ecosystems of the island. These areas were reorganized under Regional Legislative Decree 46/2008/A, into the Faial Nature Park, that includes 13 protected areas: Nature Reserves [FAI01] Nature Reserve of the Caldeirinhas () [FAI02] Nature Reserve of the Caldeira () [FAI03] Nature Reserve of the Morro do Castelo Branco () Protected Areas for the Management of Habitats and Coast Species [FAI04] Protected Area of Cabeço do Fogo () [FAI05] Protected Area of Capelinhos, Northwest Coast and Varadouro () [FAI06] Protected Area of Varadouro-Castelo Branco () [FAI07] Protected Area of Lomba Grande () Protected Landscapes [FAI08] Protected Landscape of Monte da Guia () [FAI09] Protected Landscape of the Central Zone () Protected Areas for the Management of Resources [FAI10] Protected Resource Area of the (Faial Sector) Faial-Pico Channel () [FAI11] Protected Resource Area of Castelo Branco () [FAI12] Protected Resource Area of Capelinhos () [FAI13] Protected Resource Area of Cedros () In addition, there are a few instituted forest reserves on the island of Faial, under the authority of the Direcção Regional de Recursos Florestais (Regional Directorate for Forest Services): Forest Reserve of Capelo () Forest Reserve of Cabouco Velho () Recreational Forest Reserve of Falca () Other areas of geological or environmental interest: Anelares Grotto (), located along the southern road of the Ribeira da Lombega, in Castelo Branco, this is a geological formation produced from a lava tube near the mountainous coast: