lasts four month, making this a humid continental climate (Dfb). A long area along the coast from Myken island in the south north along the outer coast north to Hasvik is the subpolar oceanic climate (Cfc) with still not very cold winters (coldest month above ). This includes much of Lofoten and Vesterålen, the western coast of Troms north to Fruholmen in Måsøy in Finnmark. Towns in this area includes Leknes, Sortland, Harstad, the mildest parts of Tromsø close to the sea and Hasvik. The largest part of North Norway are within the boreal climate (also known as subarctic), but with large variation of temperatures and precipitation from south to northeast. Most towns along the fjords falling into this climate zone in North Norway have winters milder and wetter than the typical boreal climate, and a complete lack of permafrost; this includes Mosjøen, Mo i Rana, Narvik, Tromsø and Hammerfest. Colder winters are found in Bardufoss, Alta, Kirkenes and Vadsø. The really cold areas are inland in Finnmark where Karasjok and Kautokeino have mean annual below and patchy permafrost. However, the inland towns seldom see strong winds, and Karasjok only experiences on average 1 day/year with strong breeze (22 knots) or more. A substantial area of the region, especially towards the border with Sweden and north to the Lyngen alps east of Tromsø, are mountains and highlands with alpine tundra climate above the treeline. The mean annual temperature difference between Brønnøysund () and Kautokeino () is 8 °C (13 °F), about the same as the difference between Brønnøysund and Madrid, Spain (MADRID/RETIRO, SPAIN Weather History and Climate Data). The warm climate in coastal areas, relative to other locations at the same latitude, is by many attributed to the relatively warm North Atlantic Current, an extension of the Gulf Stream. Wind Wind strength is strongest in winter and late autumn, when the Lows are strongest. Summers and early autumn are much less windy and will rarely see the wind strength that can be experienced in winter. Every winter sees windstorms disrupting communications (ferries, air traffic), especially along the outer seaboard. However, many winter days are completely calm. The most windy location in continental Norway (apart from mountain summits) is Fruholmen Lighthouse (Fruholmen fyr) in Måsøy not far from the North Cape. The most windy city in Northern Norway is Bodø with on average 153 days/year with strong breeze or more and