Which one of the following is the most noticeable characteristic of the Mediterranean climate?

The most distinctive and noticeable characteristic of the Mediterranean climate is the occurrence of dry summers. Unlike most other climatic regions where rainfall is concentrated in the summer months, Mediterranean regions experience a unique seasonal reversal where summers are hot and dry, while winters are mild and wet [3]. This climate is classified under the Köppen system as 'Cs' (Csa/Csb), specifically defined by a dry summer season where the driest month receives less than 40 mm of precipitation or less than one-third of the wettest winter month's rainfall. Geographically, it is confined to the western margins of continents between 30° and 45° latitudes [2]. While it features moderate temperatures and a limited global extent, the pronounced summer drought (aridity during the warmest period) is its primary defining feature compared to other temperate or tropical climates [1].

Sources

1. [1] Certificate Physical and Human Geography , GC Leong (Oxford University press 3rd ed.) > Chapter 19: The Warm Temperate Western Margin (Mediterranean) Climate > Fis.19.3(b) > p. 183
2. [3] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4250915/
3. [2] Physical Geography by PMF IAS, Manjunath Thamminidi, PMF IAS (1st ed.) > Chapter 30: Climatic Regions > Distribution > p. 448