Skip to main content

 Climates to travel
 World climate guide
 
 Open menu
 Home

 Africa

 N.America

 S.America

 Antarctica

 Asia

 Caribbean

 Europe

 M.East

 Oceania

 All the countries
Open menu
 Home

 Africa

 N.America

 S.America

 Antarctica

 Asia

 Caribbean

 Europe

 M.East

 Oceania

 All the countries
Select units of measurement for the temperature and rainfall tables (metric or imperial).

Climate in Canary Islands


Average weather, temperature, rainfall, sunshine

Flag - Canary Islands

Map - Canary Islands

You are here: Home --> Africa --> Canary Islands


Share this page:
Facebook LinkedIn Whatsapp Email




The Canary Islands enjoy a remarkably mild climate, in fact, they are located in the Atlantic Ocean, just north of the Tropic of Cancer, a short distance from the coasts of Morocco and Western Sahara, in a stretch of sea where a cool current flows. They are also subject to the trade winds, which blow constantly from the north east. Furthermore, the climate is generally arid, although some areas (the northern slopes of the mountainous islands) are verdant.
The Canary Islands belong to Spain; there are seven major islands (Tenerife, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, La Palma, La Gomera, and El Hierro) plus some smaller islands and islets.

The climate in detail


  • Temperatures
  • Microclimates
  • Trade winds
  • Rainfall
  • Sunshine
  • Sea temperature
  • When to go
  • What to pack
  • Climate data

Temperatures



Climate chart - Gran Canaria
Along the coasts (see for example Gran Canaria airport), the daily average temperature ranges from 18 °C (64 °F) in January and February to 24/25 °C (75/77 °F) in July, August, and September.
Owing to the higher frequency of days when the wind blows from Africa, the daytime temperatures in summer are on average slightly higher on the eastern islands (Lanzarote, Fuerteventura), where highs in the July-September period are around 28/29 °C (82/84 °F), and slightly lower on the western islands (El Hierro, La Palma), where they remain around 26/27 °C (79/81 °F).
Fluctuations are small: temperatures differ slightly from these average values. The records, especially the cold ones, show how mild the climate is in these islands: in winter, the minimum at sea level almost never drops below 10 °C (50 °F).
On the other hand, the peaks of summer heat are about 33/34 °C (91/93 °F) in El Hierro, the westernmost and most sheltered island, 37/38 °C (99/100 °F) in La Palma, and 40 °C (104 °F) and more on the other islands: these values can be reached in the short periods when a hot and dry wind blows from the Sahara desert (which, in recent years, have become more frequent).
In these situations of intense heat (called calima), which are usually more frequent in July and August, on the easternmost islands, the air can be filled with dust and sand, while on the western islands, an unusual (for these islands) and annoying calm dominates. These periods are not recommended for trekking and hiking because in the areas located at an altitude higher than sea level (called medianías) the African heat is even more intense than on the coast. Apart from some rare rainy and windy periods in late autumn and winter, those of calima are the only unpleasant moments of this climate, which for the rest is almost always enjoyable.

Tenerife

Microclimates



Although they have, in general, an excellent climate, the Canary Islands are not all equal.
On the islands that have mountains in the interior, such as Tenerife and El Hierro, you can find microclimates depending on slope exposure and altitude. In fact, the northern slopes are more cool and cloudy (because the trade winds are forced to rise, and by doing that, they cool down and condense into clouds, rain or mists which can also cause drizzle), while the southern slopes, being on the leeward side, are more dry and sunny.
For example, in San Cristobal de La Laguna (aka Tenerife North), 600 meters (2,000 feet) above sea level, the average temperature ranges from 13.5 °C (56 °F) in January and February (and in unheated houses it's cold...) to 21.5 °C (70.5 °F) in August, so it's definitely cooler than in Santa Cruz, the largest city of Tenerife.
At 2,400 meters (7,900 ft), at the Teide observatory of Izaña, the daily average ranges from 4.5 °C (39.5 °F) in January (with night temperatures around freezing) to 18.5 °C (65 °F) in July.
Teide volcano, however, the highest peak of Spain and of all the Atlantic Ocean, is 3,700 meters (12,100 ft) high; during winter, the top is covered with snow. Other volcanoes, though lower, are found on the islands of La Palma and Gran Canaria.
The eastern islands of Lanzarote and Fuerteventura, which have only hills in the interior and are windswept, are a paradise for surfers, while they are not particularly appreciated by those who seek, in addition to the sea and beaches, cities and interesting places to visit.

Trade winds



The north-east trade winds, typical of subtropical climates, are the prevailing winds, but they follow a diurnal pattern similar to that of the sea breeze, so they are most intense during the warmest hours and in the afternoon, and often blow at around 50 kph (30 mph).
The cool and breezy weather conditions can make it pleasant to sunbathe and to do other outdoor activities, but it must be remembered that the tropical sun's rays (as mentioned, we are just north of the Tropic of Cancer) are very strong, so there's the risk of sunburn without appropriate precautions. The sun is strongest from late May to late July.

Rainfall



Most of the rains in the Canary Islands fall from October to March, while in summer it practically never rains.
However, both the amount and frequency of rainfall greatly vary depending on slope exposure, as well as on altitude. Therefore, there are semi-desert areas, usually, the slopes facing south and west, and almost all the lowlands and the coasts, where the average rainfall does not exceed 250 millimeters (10 inches) per year and the landscape is arid, and areas with moderate rainfall, where it reaches or exceeds 600 mm (23.5 in) per year, which are typically the east and north facing slopes, especially at an altitude between 1,000 and 1,800 meters (3,300 and 5,900 ft).
For example, on average just 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain fall per year in Fuerteventura, 135 mm (5.3 in) at Gran Canaria airport, and 220 mm (8.7 in) in Santa Cruz de Tenerife.

Sunshine



In the Canaries, the amount of sunshine is very good throughout the year, however, in addition to the low pressure systems that can affect the islands in the October-March period, in summer, cloud banks can form on the Atlantic and reach the islands. On the northern coasts, and especially on the mountain slopes exposed to the north, local clouds and fogs can form. The southern coasts are therefore the sunniest ones.
For example, Tenerife South Airport (Tenerife Sur) and Fuerteventura experience an average of 2,900 hours of sunshine per year.

Sea temperature



Owing to the same cold current that makes the climate so mild, the sea in the Canary Islands is not warm. On the central islands (Tenerife, Gran Canaria), the water temperature ranges from 19 °C (66 °F) between winter and early spring to 23/24 °C (73/75 °F) between August and October, which therefore is the best period for swimming. However, with a bit of courage, you can try to swim even in winter.
On the western islands (La Palma, El Hierro), even though the Saharan wind blows more rarely, the sea is slightly warmer because the cold current flows near the coast of Morocco, ie in the east. For the same reason, on the easternmost islands (Lanzarote and Fuerteventura), the sea is slightly cooler (about one degree Celsius less than in Tenerife).

When to go



You can visit the Canary Islands throughout the year, since they have a very mild climate.
However, from mid-October to April, some cloudy days can occur, as well as a bit of wind and rain.
Also, in winter, temperatures tend to drop, reaching 21/22 °C (70/72 °F), and sometimes less, on the coasts from January to March.
Northern European tourists also swim in this period, and in any case, you can find many pleasant days, in which you can sunbathe, even in the middle of winter.
For a beach holiday, you can therefore choose the period from May to mid-October, although the sea is still cool in May, and will warm up gradually in the following months.
In summer, the sky is often cloudy on the north coast of Tenerife (see Garachico, Puerto de la Cruz) and of Gran Canaria (see Las Palmas). Furthermore, this is the season when the wind is more intense in windy areas (see Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, southeast coast of Tenerife). Therefore, for a beach holiday, you can choose the south-west coast of Tenerife (see Los Cristianos, Las Americas) and the south coast of Gran Canaria (see Maspalomas).
We remind you that in the Canary Islands there is a certain delay in the seasons due to the maritime climate, so that in March the climate is still very similar to winter, while in September it is still summery.

What to pack



In winter: bring light clothes for the day, a sweater and a jacket for the evening, and possibly a raincoat or umbrella. To climb mountains, and in particular Mount Teide, a down jacket, a hat, gloves, hiking shoes.

In summer: bring summer clothes, but also a light sweatshirt, a light jacket for the evening and for windy afternoons; comfortable shoes for hiking. For Lanzarote and Fuerteventura, a light scarf for the wind and the wind-borne desert sand and dust. To climb mountains, and in particular Mount Teide, hiking shoes, a sweatshirt and a jacket for the highest elevations.

Climate data - Canary Islands


Temperatures: °C, Precipitation: mm
El Hierro
El Hierro, location on the map
El Hierro, location on the map
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Min temp.171717181920212222222018
Max temp.212121222324252626262422
Precip.2525201550005203040
Prec. days333210001344
Humidity70%70%71%70%70%72%73%74%73%71%71%70%
Day length111112131414141312121110
Sun hours567788888655
Sea temp202020202122232324242321

Fuerteventura
Fuerteventura, location on the map
Fuerteventura, location on the map
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Min temp.151516161819212221201816
Max temp.212122232526272827262422
Precip.151010500000101520
Prec. days222100000223
Humidity69%70%70%68%68%69%71%73%74%73%70%71%
Day length111112131414141312111110
Sun hours67889101099766
Sea temp191818192021212223232120

Gran Canaria
Gran Canaria, location on the map
Gran Canaria, location on the map
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Min temp.151516171819212222201817
Max temp.212122232426272827262422
Precip.252010500005201530
Prec. days332100001334
Humidity66%66%66%66%67%68%66%67%70%70%67%68%
Day length111112131414141312121110
Sun hours67888910108766
Sea temp191919192021222324232221

Izaña (2,390 meters)
Izaña, location on the map
Izaña, location on the map
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Min temp.1134610141411743
Max temp.881012151923231915119
Precip.50503015500105355060
Prec. days444210011455
Humidity50%54%48%45%40%32%25%30%43%55%54%52%
Day length111112131414141312121110
Sun hours788101113121210877

La Laguna (630 meters)
La Laguna, location on the map
La Laguna, location on the map
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Min temp.101011111214161717161312
Max temp.161718192022242625232017
Precip.8070604020105515458080
Prec. days877642213789
Humidity76%75%74%75%73%75%72%70%74%75%76%78%
Day length111112131414141312111110
Sun hours566788897654

La Palma
La Palma, location on the map
La Palma, location on the map
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Min temp.161516171819212222201917
Max temp.212122222324262727262422
Precip.40502520500010405575
Prec. days543310002577
Humidity65%66%66%66%67%69%69%70%69%68%67%66%
Day length101112131414141312111110
Sun hours556667876644
Sea temp201919202022222324242221

Lanzarote
Lanzarote, location on the map
Lanzarote, location on the map
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Min temp.141415161719212221201716
Max temp.212123242527282929272422
Precip.151510500000151520
Prec. days322100000233
Humidity70%70%70%68%68%69%69%70%73%73%71%72%
Day length101112131414141312111110
Sun hours778991010109876
Sea temp191818192021212223232120

Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, location on the map
Santa Cruz, location on the map
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Min temp.161516171820212222211917
Max temp.212122232427292928272422
Precip.3035401050055253535
Prec. days444210001355
Humidity72%70%67%68%67%68%64%65%68%70%72%72%
Day length111112131414141312111110
Sun hours678891011119766
Sea temp201919192022222324242221

Tenerife South
Tenerife South, location on the map
Tenerife South, location on the map
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Min temp.151515161719202121201816
Max temp.222223232426282928272523
Precip.1520101000005151030
Prec. days221100001213
Humidity61%63%64%66%66%68%66%67%69%68%63%63%
Day length111112131414141312121110
Sun hours7788891098776
Sea temp201919192022222324242221



See also the temperatures month by month

Back to top


© Copyright Climatestotravel.com. 

Back to Africa

All the countries


Share this page:
Facebook LinkedIn Whatsapp Email



 See also (cities or regions):
 El Hierro
 Fuerteventura
 Gran Canaria
 Izaña
 La Gomera
 La Laguna
 La Palma
 Lanzarote
 Santa Cruz
 Others (expand)
 Tenerife
 Tenerife South

 Weather by month:
 January
 February
 March
 April
 May
 June
 July
 August
 September
 October
 November
 December

 Nearby countries:
 Azores
 Cape Verde
 Madeira
 Morocco
 Portugal
 Western Sahara

 Continents:
 Africa
 North America
 South America
 Antarctica
 Asia
 Caribbean
 Europe
 Middle East
 Oceania

 Search in the website:

Home About Contact Us Useful Links Policy
Home
About
Contact Us
Useful Links
Policy