The Dominican Republic has a tropical maritime climate with warm temperatures year-round, moderated by trade winds and shaped by mountains that create sharp local contrasts in rainfall and temperature. Most lowland areas stay hot and humid, while higher elevations such as the central mountain ranges are noticeably cooler, especially in winter. Using Köppen climate classification, the country is dominated by tropical climates with wet, dry-winter, and monsoon variants, plus cooler highland conditions in the mountains. For residents and expats, the main practical differences are between humid north-facing coasts, somewhat drier south and southwest lowlands, and much cooler interior uplands.