Climate in Fuerteventura (Canary Islands)

On the island of Fuerteventura, the climate is very mild and desert, with very mild, spring-like winters and warm, sunny summers.
The island is particularly exposed to the northeast trade winds, which blow steadily throughout the year, especially in the afternoon. The waves that are generated by the wind are particularly appreciated by surfers.
The temperature in Fuerteventura is very mild, spring-like much of the year: during the day, it ranges from 21 °C (69 °F) in January to 27/28 °C (81/82 °F) between July and September.
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 10/11 °C (50/52 °F) at night, while the maximum remains around 18/19 °C (64/66 °F). The coldest record after 1980 is 8.5 °C (47.5 °F), recorded in March 1988.
On the other hand, a hot, dry wind from Africa can sometimes blow, which can reduce visibility by carrying dust or sand from the desert, and brings abnormally high temperatures, which usually lasts three or four days; this phenomenon has become more frequent in recent years due to global warming. Together with nearby Lanzarote, Fuerteventura is particularly exposed to this hot wind, being close to Morocco.
The heat is felt especially in inland areas. The heat record in the island is 45.5 °C (114 °F), recorded in July 1994 in La Oliva, while in Puerto del Rosario, located on the east coast, the temperature reached 43 °C (109.5 °F) in July 1975 and 41.5 °C (106.5 °F) in July 2012. The same year, the temperature reached 38.5 °C (101.5 °F) in October, while in 2017, it reached 36.5 °C (97.5 °F) in May.



Along the coast, rainfall amounts to less than 100 millimeters (4 inches) per year, the majority of which occurring from October to March. Unlike other islands of the Canaries, in the interior there are no mountains that can cause a significant increase in precipitation on the slopes exposed to the wind. In the center-north there are hills that exceed 600 meters (2,000 ft), while in the south, in the Jandía peninsula, there is the highest peak of the island, the Pico de la Zarza, 807 meters (2,647 ft) high.

The sun in Fuerteventura shines all year round, however, in addition to the low pressure systems that can pass over the island from October to March, in summer, cloud banks can form on the Atlantic Ocean and reach the island. On the northern coast, and especially on the hill slopes exposed to the north, local clouds and mists can form. The south coast is therefore the sunniest one.

Owing to the cool Canary Current, which flows in the ocean to the west of Morocco, the sea in Fuerteventura is cool: the sea temperature ranges from 18 °C (64 °F) in February and March to 22.5 °C (72.5 °F) in September and October. This means that you can try to swim even in winter, at least if you are not sensitive to cold, while the sea is still a bit cool in summer.

Best Time

Typically, Fuerteventura is appreciated for beach tourism and surfing, therefore, on the understanding that, owing to the mild climate, you can go all year round, the best time is from May to mid-October. For the low rainfall, however, after all, the island lends itself to this type of activity also in the second half of October and in November, when the sea is still relatively warm, although the first Atlantic disturbances can bring some cloudiness and some rain, which can happen also in winter. On the other hand, in autumn and winter, Atlantic depressions can bring high waves, generated by westerly or southerly winds, which are different from the typical trade winds, and that can be appreciated by surfers.
In winter, there is often the sun and temperatures are pleasant, but it is not always warm enough to go to the beach, in addition, there may be periods with clouds and rain, although they are quite rare.

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.
In summer: bring summer clothes, but also a scarf for the wind, a light sweatshirt, a light jacket for the evening and for windy afternoons; comfortable shoes for hiking.

The following weather data was recorded at the airport, which is located on the east coast, near the main city, Puerto del Rosario.

Fuerteventura - Climate data

In Fuerteventura, the average temperature of the coldest month (January) is of 17.8 °C (64.1 °F), that of the warmest month (August) is of 24.8 °C (76.7 °F). Here are the average temperatures.
Precipitation amounts to 85 millimeters (3.3 inches) per year: it is therefore at a desert level. It ranges from 0 mm (0 in) in the driest months (May, June, July, August, September) to 20 mm (0.8 in) in the wettest one (December). Here is the average precipitation.
The sea temperature ranges from 18 °C (64 °F) in February, March to 22.5 °C (72 °F) in September, October. Here are the average sea temperatures.
There are on average around 2920 sunshine hours per year. Here are the average hours of sunshine per day.

Fuerteventura - Weather by month

Based on the period 1991-2020

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January, the coldest month of the year, is generally a very mild month. The average temperature is of 17.8 °C (64 °F), with a minimum of 14.8 °C (58.7 °F) and a maximum of 20.8 °C (69.5 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 11.5 °C (52.5 °F). However, it dropped to 9 °C (48.2 °F) in January 1995.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 23.5 °C (74.5 °F). However, it reached 28.2 °C (82.8 °F) in January 2010.
Precipitation amounts to 15 mm (0.6 in), distributed over 2 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 35 minutes.
There are on average 6.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 60% of the time.
The average humidity is 69%.
The average wind speed is 19 kph (12 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 19 °C (66 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cool for swimming.

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February is generally a very mild month. The average temperature is of 18 °C (64 °F), with a minimum of 14.9 °C (58.8 °F) and a maximum of 21.1 °C (70 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 11.5 °C (52.5 °F). However, it dropped to 9.2 °C (48.6 °F) in February 1994.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 25 °C (76.5 °F). However, it reached 30.8 °C (87.4 °F) in February 2010.
Precipitation amounts to 10 mm (0.4 in), distributed over 2 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 10 minutes.
There are on average 7 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 62% of the time.
The average humidity is 70%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 20 kph (13 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 18 °C (65 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

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March is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of 18.9 °C (66 °F), with a minimum of 15.5 °C (59.9 °F) and a maximum of 22.3 °C (72.2 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 12.5 °C (54.5 °F). However, it dropped to 10.2 °C (50.4 °F) in March 1991.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 27.5 °C (81.5 °F). However, it reached 32.9 °C (91.2 °F) in March 2010.
Precipitation amounts to 10 mm (0.4 in), distributed over 2 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 8 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 65% of the time.
The average humidity is 70%.
The average wind speed is 21 kph (13 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 18 °C (65 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

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April is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of 19.8 °C (68 °F), with a minimum of 16.4 °C (61.4 °F) and a maximum of 23.2 °C (73.7 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 13.5 °C (56 °F). However, it dropped to 10.8 °C (51.4 °F) in April 1994.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 28 °C (82.5 °F). However, it reached 36.2 °C (97.2 °F) in April 1994.
Precipitation amounts to only 5 mm (0.2 in), and all occurs in one day.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 55 minutes.
There are on average 8.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 64% of the time.
The average humidity is 68%.
The average wind speed is 22 kph (14 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 18.5 °C (65.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cool for swimming.

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May is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of 21.1 °C (70 °F), with a minimum of 17.6 °C (63.6 °F) and a maximum of 24.7 °C (76.5 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 15 °C (59.5 °F). However, it dropped to 13.2 °C (55.8 °F) in May 1993.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 29.5 °C (85 °F). However, it reached 36.7 °C (98.1 °F) in May 2012.
Precipitation amounts to only 0 mm (0 in), so on average it never rains in the whole month.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 35 minutes.
There are on average 9 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 68% of the time.
The average humidity is 68%.
The average wind speed is 23 kph (14 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 19.5 °C (67 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cool for swimming.

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June is generally a warm to hot month. The average temperature is of 22.8 °C (73 °F), with a minimum of 19.4 °C (67 °F) and a maximum of 26.2 °C (79.2 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 17.5 °C (63.5 °F). However, it dropped to 16 °C (60.8 °F) in June 2001.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 30.5 °C (87.5 °F). However, it reached 41.6 °C (106.9 °F) in June 2012.
Precipitation amounts to only 0 mm (0 in), 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 9.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 69% of the time.
The average humidity is 69%.
The average wind speed is 24 kph (15 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 20.5 °C (69 °F). Therefore, the sea is cool for swimming.

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July is generally a warm to hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of 24.2 °C (76 °F), with a minimum of 20.9 °C (69.6 °F) and a maximum of 27.5 °C (81.4 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 19 °C (66.5 °F). However, it dropped to 16.3 °C (61.3 °F) in July 2007.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 33 °C (91.5 °F). However, it reached 37.7 °C (99.9 °F) in July 2004.
Precipitation amounts to only 0 mm (0 in), so on average it never rains in the whole month.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 40 minutes.
There are on average 9.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 71% of the time.
The average humidity is 71%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 26 kph (16 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 21.5 °C (70.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cool for swimming.

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August, the warmest month of the year, is generally a warm to hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of 24.8 °C (77 °F), with a minimum of 21.8 °C (71.2 °F) and a maximum of 27.9 °C (82.2 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 20 °C (68 °F). However, it dropped to 17.4 °C (63.3 °F) in August 1997.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 32.5 °C (90.5 °F). However, it reached 39.4 °C (102.9 °F) in August 2013.
Precipitation amounts to only 0 mm (0 in), so on average it never rains in the whole month.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 5 minutes.
There are on average 9.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 72% of the time.
The average humidity is 73%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 24 kph (15 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 22 °C (71.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cool for swimming.

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September is generally a warm to hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of 24.4 °C (76 °F), with a minimum of 21.4 °C (70.4 °F) and a maximum of 27.5 °C (81.5 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 19 °C (66.5 °F). However, it dropped to 17.4 °C (63.3 °F) in September 1997.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 31.5 °C (88.5 °F). However, it reached 37.9 °C (100.2 °F) in September 2011.
Precipitation amounts to only 0 mm (0 in), so on average it never rains in the whole month.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 20 minutes.
There are on average 8.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 71% of the time.
The average humidity is 74%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 20 kph (12 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 22.5 °C (73 °F). Therefore, the sea can be considered barely acceptable for swimming.

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October is generally a warm to hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of 23.3 °C (74 °F), with a minimum of 20 °C (68.1 °F) and a maximum of 26.5 °C (79.6 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 17 °C (63 °F). However, it dropped to 14 °C (57.2 °F) in October 1993.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 30.5 °C (87 °F). However, it reached 38.7 °C (101.7 °F) in October 2017.
Precipitation amounts to 10 mm (0.4 in), distributed over 2 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 25 minutes.
There are on average 7.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 64% of the time.
The average humidity is 73%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 17 kph (11 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 22.5 °C (72.5 °F). Therefore, the sea can be considered barely acceptable for swimming.

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November is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of 21.1 °C (70 °F), with a minimum of 17.9 °C (64.3 °F) and a maximum of 24.2 °C (75.6 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 14 °C (57.5 °F). However, it dropped to 11 °C (51.8 °F) in November 1991.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 28.5 °C (83 °F). However, it reached 34 °C (93.2 °F) in November 1997.
Precipitation amounts to 15 mm (0.6 in), distributed over 2 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 40 minutes.
There are on average 6.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 60% of the time.
The average humidity is 70%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 18 kph (11 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 21.5 °C (70.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cool for swimming.

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December is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of 19.1 °C (66 °F), with a minimum of 16.2 °C (61.1 °F) and a maximum of 22.1 °C (71.8 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 12.5 °C (55 °F). However, it dropped to 10.2 °C (50.4 °F) in December 1992.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 25 °C (77 °F). However, it reached 29.4 °C (84.9 °F) in December 2010.
Precipitation amounts to 20 mm (0.8 in), distributed over 3 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 6 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 60% of the time.
The average humidity is 71%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 18 kph (11 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 20 °C (68 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cool for swimming.