Fecitén

Canarias » Tenerife » Climate

The greatest contrast occurs during the winter, when you can sunbathe on almost any beach in Tenerife, whilst resting your gaze on the snow-capped peak of Mount Teide, just a few kilometres away. It snows quite hard every year in Las Cañadas and the surrounding area - about two thousand metres above sea level.

There are also many other contrasts in climate to be seen. Santa Cruz de Tenerife usually enjoys warm weather all year round. If you travel from Santa Cruz to the centre of La Laguna - the university city of Tenerife - in winter, you would be wise to take some light but warm clothing with you because temperatures can drop sharply in just a dozen kilometres and you may even find it is raining.

NORTH and SOUTH

The North and the South of the Island also have different climatic conditions. There are more hours of sun all year in the South and more rainfall and higher humidity in the North, which explains the different landscapes and tones of the countryside, although both climates can be considered ideal within the mild and moderate climate we have already mentioned.

In fact, 19th century doctors - English and Dutch mainly - recommended the North of Tenerife as the ideal natural cure for several diseases related to the ravages of age and circulation problems.

In short, the high temperatures one would expect in Tenerife from its proximity to the Tropic of Cancer and the Sahara Dessert, are softened by the influence of the sea and the cold Canary current. On the other hand, the altitude of the island causes a marked variation in temperature with altitude.

Tenerife is known throughout the world as the Island of Eternal Spring. Its geographic position, in an imaginary strip around the world in which you find some of the best holiday spots in the world, means that this slogan is not far from truth.

The Alisios

The reasons for the gentle climate are the prevailing winds - the trade winds - the orography of the terrain itself and the cold Canary current, which ensures that the coasts and beaches of Tenerife always enjoy magnificent temperatures, sometimes above the temperature of the air.

In general, the Island´s climate is mild, temperate and moderate throughout the year. There are no seasons of extreme cold or suffocating heat. Average temperatures fluctuate between 17º and 18º C in winter, up to 24º or 25º C in summer. These relative and general values are especially applicable in coastal areas where most of the tourist resorts are sited.

In the previous section (flora and fauna) information was given about the enormous variety of scenery in Tenerife. This also implies a wide variety of micro-climates, which is one of the most surprising and attractive aspects of the Island.