Select units of measurement for the temperature and rainfall tables (metric or imperial).
Average weather, temperature, rainfall, sunshine hours
In El Hierro, the smallest and south-westernmost of the Canary Islands, the climate is
subtropical oceanic on the coast, that is, very mild and sunny most of the year, with rainfall concentrated from October to March. In contrast, the climate in the interior varies according to altitude and slope exposure: the slopes exposed to the northeast trade winds (namely, the northern and eastern ones) receive a moderate amount of
rainfall and are green, while in the rest of the island (that is, along the coasts and in the south), rainfall is scarce and the landscape is
arid.
El Hierro is a volcanic island, in fact, there are several volcanic craters and areas with lava soil. The highest peak is
Pico Malpaso, 1,501 meters (4,925 feet) high.
The prevailing winds, the north-east
trade winds, cause mists and clouds on the slopes exposed, while they temper the heat along the coast during the summer. The trade winds blow with greater intensity in the afternoon, when they are often moderate or even quite strong.
In the capital,
Valverde, which is located in a slope at about 600 meters (2,000 feet) above sea level, temperatures are spring-like most of the year: cool (or even a little cold) in winter and pleasantly warm in summer. From December to April, highs are around 17/18 °C (63/64 °F), while from July to September they reach 23/24 °C (74/75 °F).
Along the
coasts, temperatures are higher, and are very mild in winter and warm in summer. In addition to being the smallest, El Hierro is the mildest of the Canary Islands, in fact, lows are slightly higher and highs slightly lower than in the other islands of the archipelago.
The temperature generally tends to stay around the average, however, from December to March, there can be some
cool days, with highs below 20 °C (68 °F). On the coldest days of the year, which typically occur in February, the temperature typically drops to 13/14 °C (55/57 °F) at night, while the maximum remains around 18/19 °C (64/66 °F). In January 1981, the temperature dropped to 8 °C (46.5 °F), but after the year 2000 the cold record is 10.5 °C (51 °F), recorded in March 1993 and 2011.
On the other hand, the days of
calima, characterized by abnormal heat and light wind, due to
hot air masses from Africa, are relatively rare, and are more frequent in spring and summer: in practice, these are the only days when the temperature exceeds 30 °C (86 °F) and the heat is unpleasant.
However, here and in La Palma, the heat is felt less often and with less intensity than in the other Canary Islands because of the greater distance from the African continent. On the hottest days of the year, the temperature typically reaches 30/32 °C (86/90 °F). At the airport, the heat record is only 34 °C (93 °F), recorded in October 1983.
On the coast, the
rains are definitely scarce: at the airport, they amount to just 200 mm (8 in) per year.
The amount of
sunshine is very good throughout the year, however, in addition to the low pressure systems that can pass over the island from October to March, cloud banks can form in summer on the Atlantic Ocean and then affect the island. On the northern coasts, and especially on the mountain slopes exposed to the north, local clouds and fogs can form. The southern coast is therefore the sunniest one.
The airport, which, being on the northeast coast, is a little less sunny than the southern coast.
The
sea in El Hierro is quite cold in winter, though not prohibitively, while it is warm enough for swimming from August to October. The island is located at a low latitude, a bit north of the Tropic of Cancer, but as mentioned, a cold current flows in this area of the Atlantic Ocean, though the bulk of it flows along the coast of Morocco, so in this western part of the Canaries, the sea is slightly warmer.
Best Time
The best time for a beach holiday in El Hierro is from
May to mid-October. In the first period (May-June), the air temperature is a bit lower and the sea is a bit colder, but the days are slightly longer. In the Canaries, the days in summer are shorter than in Europe (while they are longer in winter), but owing to the time zone adopted, the sun sets late enough anyway.
If you want to visit cities or to go on excursions to the interior, you can choose April, May, and the first half of October.
In winter, you can appreciate the mild temperatures and can often sunbathe, although we can not exclude some days of bad weather.
What to pack in the suitcase
In winter: bring light clothes for the day, a sweater and a jacket for the evening, and possibly a raincoat or umbrella. When going mountain climbing, bring a down jacket and hiking shoes.
In summer: bring summer clothes, but also a scarf for the wind, a light sweatshirt, and a light jacket for the evening and windy afternoons. When going mountain climbing, bring hiking shoes, a sweater and a light jacket.
The following meteorological data was recorded at the airport, which is located on the coast, east of Valverde.
Valverde - Climate data
In El Hierro, the
average temperature of the coldest month (February) is of
18.8 °C, that of the warmest month (September) is of
24.4 °C. Here are the average temperatures.
El Hierro - Average temperatures (1991-2020) |
| Month | Min | Max | Mean |
|---|
| January | 17.1 | 21.1 | 19.1 |
|---|
| February | 16.7 | 20.8 | 18.8 |
|---|
| March | 17 | 21.4 | 19.2 |
|---|
| April | 17.5 | 21.8 | 19.6 |
|---|
| May | 18.6 | 23 | 20.8 |
|---|
| June | 19.9 | 24.1 | 22 |
|---|
| July | 21.1 | 25.2 | 23.2 |
|---|
| August | 22.1 | 26.1 | 24.1 |
|---|
| September | 22.3 | 26.4 | 24.4 |
|---|
| October | 21.6 | 25.8 | 23.7 |
|---|
| November | 20 | 23.8 | 21.9 |
|---|
| December | 18.3 | 22.3 | 20.3 |
|---|
| Year | 19.4 | 23.5 | 21.4 |
|---|
amounts to
185 millimeters per year: it is therefore at a desert level. It ranges from
0 millimeters in the driest months (June, July, August) to
40 millimeters in the wettest one (December). Here is the average precipitation.
El Hierro - Average precipitation| Month | Days |
|---|
| January | 25 | 3 |
|---|
| February | 25 | 3 |
|---|
| March | 20 | 3 |
|---|
| April | 15 | 2 |
|---|
| May | 5 | 1 |
|---|
| June | 0 | 0 |
|---|
| July | 0 | 0 |
|---|
| August | 0 | 0 |
|---|
| September | 5 | 1 |
|---|
| October | 20 | 3 |
|---|
| November | 30 | 4 |
|---|
| December | 40 | 4 |
|---|
| Year | 185 | 24 |
|---|
The
sea temperature ranges from
19.5 °C in February, March to
24 °C in September, October. Here are the average sea temperatures.
El Hierro - Sea temperature| Month |
|---|
| January | 20 |
|---|
| February | 19.5 |
|---|
| March | 19.5 |
|---|
| April | 20 |
|---|
| May | 20.5 |
|---|
| June | 22 |
|---|
| July | 22.5 |
|---|
| August | 23.5 |
|---|
| September | 24 |
|---|
| October | 24 |
|---|
| November | 23"> |
|---|
| December | 21.5 |
|---|
| Year | 21.7 |
|---|
There are on average around 2495
sunshine hours per year. Here are the average hours of sunshine per day.
El Hierro - Sunshine hours| Month | Average | Total |
|---|
| January | 5 | 160 |
|---|
| February | 6 | 170 |
|---|
| March | 6.5 | 210 |
|---|
| April | 7 | 215 |
|---|
| May | 8.5 | 255 |
|---|
| June | 8.5 | 250 |
|---|
| July | 7.5 | 240 |
|---|
| August | 8 | 250 |
|---|
| September | 7.5 | 230 |
|---|
| October | 6.5 | 200 |
|---|
| November | 5.5 | 160 |
|---|
| December | 5 | 155 |
|---|
| Year | 6.8 | 2495 |
|---|
El Hierro - Weather by month
Based on the period 1991-2020
January is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of
19.1 °C, with a minimum of
17.1 °C and a maximum of
21.1 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
14.5 °C. However, it dropped to
11.5 °C in January 1996.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
24 °C. However, it reached
28.5 °C in January 2016.
Precipitation amounts to
25 mm, distributed over 3 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 35 minutes.
There are on average 5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 49% of the time.
The average humidity is 70%.
The average wind speed is of
19.8 kph.
The average sea temperature is of
20.2 °C. Therefore, the sea is very cool for swimming.
February, the coldest month of the year, is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of
18.8 °C, with a minimum of
16.7 °C and a maximum of
20.8 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
14.5 °C. However, it dropped to
12.4 °C in February 1996.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
24 °C. However, it reached
29.4 °C in February 2010.
Precipitation amounts to
25 mm, distributed over 3 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 10 minutes.
There are on average 6 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 54% of the time.
The average humidity is 70%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is of
21.5 kph.
The average sea temperature is of
19.6 °C. Therefore, the sea is very cool for swimming.
March is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of
19.2 °C, with a minimum of
17 °C and a maximum of
21.4 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
14.5 °C. However, it dropped to
10.5 °C in March 1993.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
25.5 °C. However, it reached
29.7 °C in March 2017.
Precipitation amounts to
20 mm, distributed over 3 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 6.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 56% of the time.
The average humidity is 71%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is of
21.7 kph.
The average sea temperature is of
19.5 °C. Therefore, the sea is very cool for swimming.
April is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of
19.6 °C, with a minimum of
17.5 °C and a maximum of
21.8 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
15 °C. However, it dropped to
11.2 °C in April 2012.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
25 °C. However, it reached
33.2 °C in April 2008.
Precipitation amounts to
15 mm, distributed over 2 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 55 minutes.
There are on average 7 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 56% of the time.
The average humidity is 70%.
The average wind speed is of
21.9 kph.
The average sea temperature is of
19.9 °C. Therefore, the sea is very cool for swimming.
May is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of
20.8 °C, with a minimum of
18.6 °C and a maximum of
23 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
16.5 °C. However, it dropped to
14.6 °C in May 2011.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
26.5 °C. However, it reached
31 °C in May 2020.
Precipitation amounts to only
5 mm, and all occurs in one day.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 35 minutes.
There are on average 8.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 61% of the time.
The average humidity is 70%.
The average wind speed is of
22.5 kph.
The average sea temperature is of
20.7 °C. Therefore, the sea is cool for swimming.
June is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of
22 °C, with a minimum of
19.9 °C and a maximum of
24.1 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
18.5 °C. However, it dropped to
16.4 °C in June 2001.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
26.5 °C. However, it reached
31.6 °C in June 2012.
Precipitation amounts to only
0 mm, so on average it never rains in the whole month.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 55 minutes. June 21, the summer solstice, is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 8.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 60% of the time.
The average humidity is 72%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is of
24.7 kph.
The average sea temperature is of
21.9 °C. Therefore, the sea is cool for swimming.
July is generally a warm to hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of
23.2 °C, with a minimum of
21.1 °C and a maximum of
25.2 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
20 °C. However, it dropped to
17.8 °C in July 2017.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
28.5 °C. However, it reached
31.4 °C in July 2007.
Precipitation amounts to only
0 mm, so on average it never rains in the whole month.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 40 minutes.
There are on average 7.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 56% of the time.
The average humidity is 73%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is of
29.6 kph.
The average sea temperature is of
22.7 °C. Therefore, the sea can be considered barely acceptable for swimming.
August is generally a warm to hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of
24.1 °C, with a minimum of
22.1 °C and a maximum of
26.1 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
21 °C. However, it dropped to
17.2 °C in August 2017.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
28.5 °C. However, it reached
33 °C in August 2004.
Precipitation amounts to only
0 mm, so on average it never rains in the whole month.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 5 minutes.
There are on average 8 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 61% of the time.
The average humidity is 74%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is of
26.4 kph.
The average sea temperature is of
23.4 °C. Therefore, the sea can be considered barely acceptable for swimming.
September, the warmest month of the year, is generally a warm to hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of
24.4 °C, with a minimum of
22.3 °C and a maximum of
26.4 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
20.5 °C. However, it dropped to
18.7 °C in September 1998.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
29 °C. However, it reached
33 °C in September 2006.
Precipitation amounts to only
5 mm, and all occurs in one day.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 20 minutes.
There are on average 7.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 62% of the time.
The average humidity is 73%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is of
20 kph.
The average sea temperature is of
24.1 °C. Therefore, the sea is warm enough for swimming.
October is generally a warm to hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of
23.7 °C, with a minimum of
21.6 °C and a maximum of
25.8 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
19 °C. However, it dropped to
15.8 °C in October 1999.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
29.5 °C. However, it reached
33.2 °C in October 2012.
Precipitation amounts to
20 mm, distributed over 3 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 30 minutes.
There are on average 6.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 57% of the time.
The average humidity is 71%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is of
17.4 kph.
The average sea temperature is of
24 °C. Therefore, the sea is warm enough for swimming.
November is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of
21.9 °C, with a minimum of
20 °C and a maximum of
23.8 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
17 °C. However, it dropped to
13.4 °C in November 1991.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
27.5 °C. However, it reached
30.8 °C in November 1997.
Precipitation amounts to
30 mm, distributed over 4 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 40 minutes.
There are on average 5.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 50% of the time.
The average humidity is 71%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is of
19.3 kph.
The average sea temperature is of
22.8 °C. Therefore, the sea can be considered barely acceptable for swimming.
December is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of
20.3 °C, with a minimum of
18.3 °C and a maximum of
22.3 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
15.5 °C. However, it dropped to
11.8 °C in December 1992.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
25 °C. However, it reached
28.3 °C in December 2010.
Precipitation amounts to
40 mm, distributed over 4 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 25 minutes. December 21, the winter solstice, is the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 48% of the time.
The average humidity is 70%.
The average wind speed is of
18.7 kph.
The average sea temperature is of
21.4 °C. Therefore, the sea is cool for swimming.