The climate of Socotra is classified in the
Köppen climate classification as BWh and BSh, meaning a tropical desert climate
and semi-desert climate with a mean annual temperature over 25 °C
(78 °F). Yearly rainfall is light, but is fairly spread throughout the
year. Generally the higher inland areas receive more rain than the coastal
lowlands, due to orographic lift provided by the interior mountains. The
monsoon season brings strong winds and high seas. For many centuries, the
sailors of Gujarat called the maritime route near Socotra as "Sikotro
Sinh", meaning the lion of Socotra,
