Seasons in the Canary Islands

Canary Islands have subtropical climate with warm weather through whole year. Weather of islands is formed under influence of dry African and wet Atlantic winds, cold Canary Current and anticyclone over Azores. In addition Canary Islands are mountainous and weather conditions vary with altitude. Weather in southern islands is drier than in northern. Difference of weather is noticeable even on one separate island i.e. Tenerife.

Annual range of temperature is narrow. Averages are hovering between 15 and 25 °C through a year. Sometimes it is rainy however there’s no pronounced rainy season unless at December and January it rains a little more often.


Seasons

Contents:

March-May in the Canary Islands

Roughly on Canary Islands there no other season except spring. However weather at this season is slightly rainy with warm days and rather cool nights. Through spring months temperature of air and water slowly rises to 23 and 20 °C (73 and 68 °F) respectively. It is wonderful time for excursions and sunbathing.

At March islands aren’t crowded and it is good month for those who love space. April is the best for family vacation for temperatures isn’t very high. Tourists’ influx increases at May. Water is still rather cool for swimming yet seaside activities are open.

Climate from March to May

March
Max average t°: +22 °C (72 °F)
Min average t°: +15 °C (59 °F)
Water t°: +18.5 °C (65 °F)
Sundial in the day: 9 hours
Rainy days: 1 day
Precipitation: 13 mm (0.5")
April
Max average t°: +23 °C (73 °F)
Min average t°: +15.5 °C (60 °F)
Water t°: +19 °C (66 °F)
Sundial in the day: 9.5 hours
Rainy days: 0 days
Precipitation: 9 mm (0.35")
May
Max average t°: +24 °C (75 °F)
Min average t°: +17 °C (62 °F)
Water t°: +20 °C (68 °F)
Sundial in the day: 10 hours
Rainy days: 0 days
Precipitation: 5 mm (0.2")

(Las Palmas)

Holidays

In addition to public holidays Tunisians are also celebrate traditional Islamic holidays whose dates are assigned by Islamic calendar and are to be officially confirmed by the religious instances of the Tunisian government.

Easter celebrations with variable dates at March-April.

April 29 – Feast of indigenous people (Gran Canaria).
April 30-May 7 – Holiday of flower cheese (Gran Canaria).

May 3 – Feast of the Cross (Tenerife).
May 30 – Day of the Canary Islands.

June-August in the Canary Islands

Main feature of summer in Canary Islands is moderate temperature and low humidity. 25 °C (77 °F) of air and 22 °C of water are perfect ratio for vacation. In addition amount of daylight hours increases to 10 with mild sun. Mountainous regions may be bit rainy, especially in Tenerife. Fine weather is complemented ocean breeze promotes various water sports.

On the other hand such pleasant conditions attract numerous visitors. Those who don’t like crowds should consider visiting Canary Islands at “low” season. And it would be better to book apartments and other needed services beforehand.


Climate from June to August

June
Max average t°: +25 °C (78 °F)
Min average t°: +18 °C (64 °F)
Water t°: +21 °C (70 °F)
Sundial in the day: 10.5 hours
Rainy days: 0 days
Precipitation: 3.5 mm (0.1")
July
Max average t°: +27 °C (81 °F)
Min average t°: +19 °C (66 °F)
Water t°: +22 °C (72 °F)
Sundial in the day: 10.5 hours
Rainy days: 0 days
Precipitation: 4.5 mm (0.2")
August
Max average t°: +28 °C (83 °F)
Min average t°: +19 °C (67 °F)
Water t°: +23 °C (73 °F)
Sundial in the day: 10 hours
Rainy days: 0 days
Precipitation: 13 mm (0.5")

(Las Palmas)

Holidays

Late May-Early June – Corpus Christi.
June 23-24 – San Juan Day.

July 4-8 – Feast of clay (Santa Brígida, Gran Canaria).
July 16 – St. Carmen's Day.

August 4 – Bajada de la Rama.
August 15 – the day of the Holy Virgin de Candelaria (Tenerife).
August 24 – Hearts of Tejina (Tenerife).

September-November in the Canary Islands

At autumn air cools down but only for couple of degrees but weather remain pleasant. Autumn nights are cool thus travelers should have light jacket or sweater. In addition frequency of precipitation increases (if 8 days of possible rains can be considered as precipitation at all). Water is still warm enough for swimming. All in all bright sun, warm ocean and parks with lush vegetation are at disposal of visitors at autumn.

Temperature averages are always above 25 °C (77 °F). Temperature of water is comfortable 23-24 °C (73-75 °F) except November when it drops to about 20 °C (68 °F). Combined with winds it may seem cold. However tourist’s season continues even at autumn.


Climate from September to November

September
Max average t°: +27 °C (81 °F)
Min average t°: +20 °C (68 °F)
Water t°: +24 °C (75 °F)
Sundial in the day: 9.5 hours
Rainy days: 1 day
Precipitation: 13.5 mm (0.5")
October
Max average t°: +27 °C (81 °F)
Min average t°: +19 °C (67 °F)
Water t°: +23.5 °C (74 °F)
Sundial in the day: 8.5 hours
Rainy days: 2 days
Precipitation: 26 mm (1.0")
November
Max average t°: +24 °C (75 °F)
Min average t°: +18 °C (65 °F)
Water t°: +22.5 °C (73 °F)
Sundial in the day: 7.5 hours
Rainy days: 1 day
Precipitation: 20 mm (0.8")

(Las Palmas)

Holidays

September – the Day of the Grieving Christ (Tenrife).
September 6-8 – day of the Virgin Mary del Pino (Gran Canaria).
September 7-11 – Holiday in the lagoon (Puerto de la Aldea, Gran Canaria).

October – Feast for Virgin Mary Incarnate (Tenerife).
October 5 – Day of the Virgin of Del Rosario (Gran Canaria).

November 29 - Holiday in honor of San Andreas (Tenerife).

December-February in the Canary Islands

Every season is warm in Canary Islands and winter isn’t exception. It is quite rainy though. However light tropical showers are fast and leave pleasant freshness and sunny weather after they pass. This is the favorite of tourists from Western Europe which spend all rainless time at beaches.

Southern part of archipelago is warmer. And difference is significant. For example southern coasts of Tenerife have averages between 17 and 16 °C (61 and 63 °F) while in northern part of the island it is 15 °C (59 °F). Moreover winter nights are rather cool on every island.

Climate from December to February

December
Max average t°: +22 °C (72 °F)
Min average t°: +16 °C (60 °F)
Water t°: +21 °C (70 °F)
Sundial in the day: 7.5 hours
Rainy days: 0 days
Precipitation: 10 mm (0.4")
January
Max average t°: +21 °C (69 °F)
Min average t°: +15 °C (59 °F)
Water t°: +20 °C (68 °F)
Sundial in the day: 7.5 hours
Rainy days: 0 days
Precipitation: 12 mm (0.5")
February
Max average t°: +21 °C (70 °F)
Min average t°: +15 °C (59 °F)
Water t°: +19 °C (66 °F)
Sundial in the day: 7 hours
Rainy days: 1 day
Precipitation: 19 mm (0.75")

(Las Palmas)

Holidays

December 25 – Christmas.

January 6 – Day of Three Kings.

February – Mardi Gras Carnival, Feast of flowering almonds (Gran Canaria), Day of water.


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