Climate - La Palma (Canary Islands)
Average weather, temperature, rainfall, sunshine hours
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Climate chart - La Palma (Canary Islands)
In La Palma, the north-westernmost island of the Canaries, the climate is subtropical oceanic on the coast, that is, very mild and sunny most of the year, with rainfall concentrated in autumn and winter.
In inland areas, on the other hand, the weather becomes cooler and wetter with increasing altitude; the almost complete absence of plains makes this island moist and verdant compared with other islands of the Canary archipelago.
Furthermore, due to its position more exposed to ocean winds caused by winter depressions, from November to March the island is more subject than the other islands to strong winds from the west or the south-west.
Here too, however, the prevailing winds are the north-east trade winds, which cause mists and clouds on the exposed slopes, while tempering the heat along the coasts in summer; they are more intense in the afternoon, when they are often moderate or even quite strong.
On the coasts, the temperatures are very mild: highs are around 21/22 °C (70/72 °F) from December to April and 26/27 °C (79/81 °F) from July to October. Here are the average temperatures at the airport, located on the east coast, not far from the city of Santa Cruz de La Palma.
La Palma - Average temperatures (1991-2020) | Month | Min (°C) | Max (°C) | Mean (°C) | Min (°F) | Max (°F) | Mean (°F) |
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| January | 15.7 | 21.1 | 18.4 | 60 | 70 | 65.1 |
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| February | 15.4 | 20.9 | 18.1 | 60 | 70 | 64.7 |
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| March | 15.9 | 21.6 | 18.7 | 61 | 71 | 65.7 |
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| April | 16.6 | 22.1 | 19.4 | 62 | 72 | 66.8 |
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| May | 17.6 | 23.1 | 20.4 | 64 | 74 | 68.7 |
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| June | 19.3 | 24.5 | 21.9 | 67 | 76 | 71.4 |
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| July | 20.9 | 25.8 | 23.3 | 70 | 78 | 74 |
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| August | 21.7 | 26.8 | 24.2 | 71 | 80 | 75.6 |
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| September | 21.6 | 27 | 24.3 | 71 | 81 | 75.7 |
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| October | 20.4 | 25.9 | 23.2 | 69 | 79 | 73.7 |
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| November | 18.6 | 23.8 | 21.2 | 65 | 75 | 70.2 |
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| December | 16.9 | 22.2 | 19.6 | 62 | 72 | 67.2 |
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| Year | 18.4 | 23.8 | 21.05 | 65.1 | 74.8 | 70 |
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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 11/12 °C (52/54 °F) at night, while the maximum remains around 16/17 °C (61/63 °F). The cold record from 1980 onwards is 10 °C (50 °F), recorded in March 1988 and 1993 and in January 1994.
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 El Hierro, the heat is felt less often and with less intensity than in the other Canary Islands. On the hottest days of the year, the temperature typically reaches 30/32 °C (86/90 °F). The record is 38.5 °C (101 °F), recorded in July 2007.
On the coast, the amount of rain that falls in a year is not very high: at the airport, it is equal to 330 millimeters (13 inches), most of which occurring between October and March, that is, the period when the Canary Islands can be reached by some Atlantic depressions, with a maximum in November and December. However, from November to March there can sometimes be heavy rains.
Here is the average precipitation at the airport.
La Palma - Average precipitation| Month | Millimeters | Inches | Days |
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| January | 40 | 1.6 | 5 |
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| February | 50 | 2 | 4 |
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| March | 25 | 1 | 3 |
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| April | 20 | 0.8 | 3 |
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| May | 5 | 0.2 | 1 |
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| June | 0 | 0 | 0 |
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| July | 0 | 0 | 0 |
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| August | 0 | 0 | 0 |
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| September | 10 | 0.4 | 2 |
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| October | 40 | 1.6 | 5 |
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| November | 55 | 2.2 | 7 |
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| December | 75 | 3 | 7 |
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| Year | 330 | 13 | 38 |
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In the interior, the temperature becomes naturally lower with increasing altitude: at 600 meters (2,000 feet), average maximum temperatures are around 16 °C (61 °F) in winter and 24/25 °C (75/77 °F) in summer. On inland slopes, rainfall is more abundant as well, and thick forests of pine, laurel and other species are found (on this island, there is a large biodiversity). In the wettest areas, rainfall exceeds 1,000 mm (40 in) per year.
The amount of sunshine in La Palma is quite good in winter, as there are several sunny days, while in the rest of the year, cloud banks can form on the Atlantic and then reach the island. The annual total is lower than that of the other Canary Islands.
Here are the average daily sunshine hours at the airport.
La Palma - Sunshine hours| Month | Average | Total |
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January | 4.5 | 145 | February | 5.5 | 150 | March | 6 | 185 | April | 6 | 180 | May | 6.5 | 195 | June | 7 | 205 | July | 7.5 | 235 | August | 7 | 220 | September | 6 | 185 | October | 5.5 | 175 | November | 4.5 | 135 | December | 4.5 | 140 | Year | 5.9 | 2145 |
La Palma is a volcanic island; the southern part of the island is covered by a ridge of volcanic craters, among which stands Cumbre Vieja, an active volcano, 1,949 meters (6,394 feet) high, while the central part is occupied by the large Caldera de Taburiente, protected in a national park.
On the edge of the caldera, we find the highest point of the island, Roque de los Muchachos, 2,423 meters (7,949 feet) above sea level. Being above the altitude where the trade winds blow, it is generally above the clouds, and this is why an astronomical observatory was built here, the Gran Telescopio Canarias. From the top you can see, scattered on the ocean, other islands of the Canaries (Tenerife, La Gomera and El Hierro). At this altitude, winter is cold, with highs around 7/8 °C (45/46 °F) and lows near the freezing point; sometimes, snow can fall, even abundant. In January 1990, the temperature dropped to -8 °C (17.5 °F). The wind can exceed 100 kph (60 mph), especially in the cold half of the year.
In summer, the temperatures are mild or pleasantly warm during the day (but with a very strong sun, which requires adequate protection, like sunglasses and a hat) and cool at night. However, on the hottest days the temperature can approach 30 °C (86 °F).
Here are the average temperatures.
Roque de los Muchachos - Average temperatures| Month | Min (°C) | Max (°C) | Mean (°C) | Min (°F) | Max (°F) | Mean (°F) |
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| January | 1 | 7 | 4 | 34 | 45 | 39.2 |
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| February | 1 | 8 | 4.5 | 34 | 46 | 40.1 |
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| March | 2 | 9 | 5.5 | 36 | 48 | 41.9 |
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| April | 3 | 11 | 7 | 37 | 52 | 44.6 |
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| May | 5 | 14 | 9.5 | 41 | 57 | 49.1 |
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| June | 9 | 18 | 13.5 | 48 | 64 | 56.3 |
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| July | 13 | 23 | 18 | 55 | 73 | 64.4 |
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| August | 14 | 22 | 18 | 57 | 72 | 64.4 |
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| September | 10 | 18 | 14 | 50 | 64 | 57.2 |
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| October | 7 | 14 | 10.5 | 45 | 57 | 50.9 |
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| November | 4 | 11 | 7.5 | 39 | 52 | 45.5 |
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| December | 2 | 8 | 5 | 36 | 46 | 41 |
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| Year | 6 | 13.6 | 9.75 | 42.7 | 56.5 | 49.5 |
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The sea in La Palma is quite cold in winter, though not prohibitively, and becomes warm enough for swimming from August to October. The island is located at a low latitude, almost at the Tropic, but on this side of the Atlantic Ocean, a cold current flows, however, in this western part of the Canary Islands, the sea is slightly warmer than in the east, where the current is stronger. The sea temperature ranges from 19 °C (66 °F) in March to 24 °C (75 °F) in September and October.
Here are the average sea temperatures.
La Palma - Sea temperature| Month | Celsius (°C) | Fahrenheit (°F) |
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January | 20 | 68 | February | 19.5 | 67 | March | 19 | 67 | April | 19.5 | 67 | May | 20.5 | 69 | June | 21.5 | 71 | July | 22.5 | 72 | August | 23.5 | 74 | September | 24 | 75 | October | 24 | 75 | November | 22.5 | 72 | December | 21 | 70 | Year | 21.5 | 70.6 |
Best Time
The best time for a beach holiday in La Palma is from May to mid-October. In the first part (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 because of the time zone adopted, the sun sets late enough anyway.
If you want to visit cities and go on excursions to the interior, you can choose April, May and the first half of October.
In winter, you will appreciate the mild temperatures and you can often sunbathe, although we can not exclude some days of bad weather. If you want, you can combine a hike in the mountains, in search of the snow, with an afternoon at the beach.
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, a hat, gloves, and hiking shoes.
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. When going mountain climbing, bring hiking shoes, and a sweatshirt and a jacket for the highest elevations.
La Palma - Weather by month
Based on the period 1991-2020
January is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of 18.4 °C (65 °F), with a minimum of 15.7 °C (60.2 °F) and a maximum of 21.1 °C (69.9 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 13.5 °C (56 °F). However, it dropped to 10.2 °C (50.4 °F) in January 1994.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 24 °C (75.5 °F). However, it reached 27.2 °C (81 °F) in January 2017.
Precipitation amounts to 40 mm (1.6 in), distributed over 5 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 30 minutes.
There are on average 4.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 45% of the time.
The average humidity is 65%.
The average wind speed is 15 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 20 °C (68 °F). 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 18.1 °C (65 °F), with a minimum of 15.4 °C (59.6 °F) and a maximum of 20.9 °C (69.7 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 13 °C (55 °F). However, it dropped to 10.9 °C (51.6 °F) in February 1992.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 24.5 °C (76.5 °F). However, it reached 30.4 °C (86.7 °F) in February 2020.
Precipitation amounts to 50 mm (2 in), distributed over 4 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 10 minutes.
There are on average 5.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 47% of the time.
The average humidity is 66%.
The average wind speed is 17 kph (10 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 19.5 °C (66.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cool for swimming.
March is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of 18.7 °C (66 °F), with a minimum of 15.9 °C (60.5 °F) and a maximum of 21.6 °C (70.8 °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 10.2 °C (50.4 °F) in March 1993.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 26 °C (79 °F). However, it reached 34.1 °C (93.4 °F) in March 2017.
Precipitation amounts to 25 mm (1 in), distributed over 3 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 6 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 49% of the time.
The average humidity is 66%.
The average wind speed is 17 kph (11 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 19 °C (66.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cool for swimming.
April is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of 19.4 °C (67 °F), with a minimum of 16.6 °C (61.8 °F) and a maximum of 22.1 °C (71.9 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 14 °C (57.5 °F). However, it dropped to 12.4 °C (54.3 °F) in April 1994.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 25 °C (77.5 °F). However, it reached 36.6 °C (97.9 °F) in April 2008.
Precipitation amounts to 20 mm (0.8 in), distributed over 3 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 55 minutes.
There are on average 6 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 46% of the time.
The average humidity is 66%.
The average wind speed is 17 kph (11 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 19.5 °C (67.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cool for swimming.
May is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of 20.4 °C (69 °F), with a minimum of 17.6 °C (63.7 °F) and a maximum of 23.1 °C (73.7 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 15.5 °C (59.5 °F). However, it dropped to 13.4 °C (56.1 °F) in May 1993.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 26 °C (79 °F). However, it reached 32.4 °C (90.3 °F) in May 2007.
Precipitation amounts to only 5 mm (0.2 in), and all occurs in one day.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 35 minutes.
There are on average 6.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 46% of the time.
The average humidity is 67%.
The average wind speed is 17 kph (10 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 20.5 °C (68.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cool for swimming.
June is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of 21.9 °C (71 °F), with a minimum of 19.3 °C (66.8 °F) and a maximum of 24.5 °C (76.1 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 17.5 °C (63.5 °F). However, it dropped to 16.2 °C (61.2 °F) in June 1992.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 26.5 °C (80 °F). However, it reached 29.4 °C (84.9 °F) in June 2013.
Precipitation amounts to only 0 mm (0 in), so on average it never rains in the whole month.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 0 minutes. June 21, the summer solstice, is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 7 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 49% of the time.
The average humidity is 69%.
The average wind speed is 19 kph (12 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 21.5 °C (71 °F). Therefore, the sea is cool for swimming.
July is generally a warm to hot month. The average temperature is of 23.3 °C (74 °F), with a minimum of 20.9 °C (69.5 °F) and a maximum of 25.8 °C (78.4 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 19.5 °C (66.5 °F). However, it dropped to 17.9 °C (64.2 °F) in July 1991.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 29 °C (84 °F). However, it reached 38.4 °C (101.1 °F) in July 2007.
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 50 minutes.
There are on average 7.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 55% of the time.
The average humidity is 69%.
The average wind speed is 23 kph (14 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 22.5 °C (72.5 °F). Therefore, the sea can be considered barely acceptable for swimming.
August is generally a warm to hot month. The average temperature is of 24.2 °C (76 °F), with a minimum of 21.7 °C (71 °F) and a maximum of 26.8 °C (80.2 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 20 °C (68 °F). However, it dropped to 16.7 °C (62.1 °F) in August 2011.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 29.5 °C (85 °F). However, it reached 36 °C (96.8 °F) in August 2010.
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 7 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 54% of the time.
The average humidity is 70%.
The average wind speed is 20 kph (12 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 23.5 °C (74 °F). Therefore, the sea can be considered barely acceptable for swimming.
September, the warmest month of the year, is generally a warm to hot month. The average temperature is of 24.3 °C (76 °F), with a minimum of 21.6 °C (70.8 °F) and a maximum of 27 °C (80.6 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 19.5 °C (67 °F). However, it dropped to 16.4 °C (61.5 °F) in September 2007.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 30 °C (85.5 °F). However, it reached 35.2 °C (95.4 °F) in September 2005.
Precipitation amounts to 10 mm (0.4 in), distributed over 2 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 20 minutes.
There are on average 6 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 50% of the time.
The average humidity is 69%.
The average wind speed is 15 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 24 °C (75 °F). Therefore, the sea is warm enough for swimming.
October is generally a warm to hot month. The average temperature is of 23.2 °C (74 °F), with a minimum of 20.4 °C (68.7 °F) and a maximum of 25.9 °C (78.7 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 18 °C (64 °F). However, it dropped to 15.3 °C (59.5 °F) in October 1999.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 29 °C (84.5 °F). However, it reached 34.4 °C (93.9 °F) in October 2014.
Precipitation amounts to 40 mm (1.6 in), distributed over 5 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 25 minutes.
There are on average 5.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 49% of the time.
The average humidity is 68%.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 24 °C (75 °F). Therefore, the sea is warm enough for swimming.
November is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of 21.2 °C (70 °F), with a minimum of 18.6 °C (65.5 °F) and a maximum of 23.8 °C (74.9 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 15.5 °C (60.5 °F). However, it dropped to 11 °C (51.8 °F) in November 2001.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 28 °C (82.5 °F). However, it reached 31.6 °C (88.9 °F) in November 1995.
Precipitation amounts to 55 mm (2.2 in), distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 40 minutes.
There are on average 4.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 42% of the time.
The average humidity is 67%.
The average wind speed is 15 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 22.5 °C (72.5 °F). Therefore, the sea can be considered barely acceptable for swimming.
December is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of 19.6 °C (67 °F), with a minimum of 16.9 °C (62.5 °F) and a maximum of 22.2 °C (72 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 14.5 °C (58.5 °F). However, it dropped to 11.8 °C (53.2 °F) in December 1992.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 25.5 °C (78 °F). However, it reached 29 °C (84.2 °F) in December 2019.
Precipitation amounts to 75 mm (3 in), distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 20 minutes. December 21, the winter solstice, is the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 4.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 44% of the time.
The average humidity is 66%.
The average wind speed is 15 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 21 °C (70 °F). Therefore, the sea is cool for swimming.
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