Tenerife: A Tale of Two Climates, Divided by Mountains
Landing at Tenerife South Airport during winter? You'll likely be shedding that winter jacket before you even reach the baggage claim!
Tenerife South proudly boasts the warmer climate, a welcome relief especially during the winter months, though the difference isn't always vast.
Conversely, Tenerife North experiences more frequent mists and occasional rainfall.
My own experience, having spent December, January, and February in the South, confirms this. While there were some cloudy days, the thermometer consistently hovered above 20°C. I recall only two brief drizzles. Truly, Tenerife embodies an endless summer. The winter period of 2021/2022 was exceptionally warm – downright hot! Even the locals remarked on the unusually high temperatures, a fact noted by Spanish television. On December 31, 2021, I personally recorded a scorching 39°C on the thermometer in El Medano (see photo below). New Year's Eve itself was incredibly mild, with the city's public thermometer reading a balmy 20°C. It was the first time in my life I found myself feeling hot outdoors in a sweatshirt and long trousers on New Year's Eve!
Visiting Tenerife in winter for just 7 days? You'll most likely return home with a healthy tan. Extend your stay to 10-14 days, and that probability soars! During my three months there, not a single day passed with a dull, grey sky; the sun always managed to break through the clouds. In fact, most days were gloriously clear and cloudless.
Beyond the endless sunshine, Tenerife is a true paradise for surfers, windsurfers, and kitesurfers. The island often enjoys strong, consistent winds, perfect for watersports. Of course, there are also those serene days with little to no wind and calmer ocean waters, catering to all preferences.