Tenerife weather in JanuaryThe southern side of Tenerife is nearly always warmer and so might be the best spot to visit during the coldest month of the year.
While the rain can be fairly unpredictable, the south of the island will usually be drier and see the most sunshine, and may be the best area to visit at this time of year.
The south is more sunny, dryer and warmer than the north, which is why most holidaymakers opt for this part of the island. However, rainfall can also occur there, as the microclimate is still very different in the south.
Mount Teide is a dormant volcano in the middle of the island and divides the two halves. In the north, the climate is wetter and cooler, which means it attracts fewer tourists. The south has more sunshine and warmer temperatures. This southern half is also less windy with fewer clouds, which gives a hotter climate.
The south is more sunny, dryer and warmer than the north, which is why most holidaymakers opt for this part of the island. However, rainfall can also occur there, as the microclimate is still very different in the south.
Tenerife's Weather in FebruaryTenerife South is much warmer than the North. An estimated 24mm of rainfall falls within 3.8 days of this month, with 18 of those days partially cloudy and an estimated 5.6 days sunny. Tenerife gets 7 hours of sunshine per day at this time of year and sea temperatures go down to 20°C.
The north of Tenerife can also be windier than the south; Orotava Valley can sometimes get some bad winds and you can even notice the usual direction of the wind in that area, by the way the trees are bent.
The coldest place is, of course, atop Mount Teide, which has its own microclimate and is chilly year-round, especially in the evening. You can be in the snow one hour and bathing on the beach in 86°F heat the next. Winters are nice in Tenerife, with average temperatures of around 63°F (17°C) from December to February.
Areas to AvoidBecause of its volcanic background, most beaches in Tenerife are volcanic with black sand which can be hot under the feet. If you're after a traditional sandy beach head to Los Cristianos and leave the southern resorts alone. Playa la Arena is also notorious for pickpockets.
However, south Tenerife is great for a sunny holiday with a fun atmosphere – even in the winter months! Like Lanzarote and the other Canary Islands, the summer and winter temperatures in Tenerife only have about 8 degrees celsius/ 14 Fahrenheit difference, making it a fantastic winter sun destination.
Lanzarote tends to be the hottest and most arid of the Canaries, as it is closest to the Sahara desert and because it is one of the lowest lying islands.
Although the weather is normally good in Tenerife in Sepember, I would say the weather in Turkey is hotter. Length of flight times are around the same, although depending who you fly with you may get a better time of flight with one or the other.
In general, the warmest parts of Tenerife (the south coast) have approximately the same average temperatures as the warmest parts of Gran Canaria (also the south coast).
Overall, the weather in Tenerife North throughout the year is very pleasant with the only real issue being the winds that tend to pick up in the later summer months. There are many microclimates and visiting the top of El Teide can be cold with snow on the summit during certain parts of the year.
January is peak cold and wet time in Tenerife, if you want to avoid the wettest month but equally not suffer high temperatures or high prices the best time for you to go is between March and June.
Temperature in Tenerife in DecemberTenerife is a popular place for sun seekers in December with average maximum temperatures a pleasant 22.2 °C (70 °F) combined with about six hours of sunshine.
The south is more sunny, dryer and warmer than the north, which is why most holidaymakers opt for this part of the island. However, rainfall can also occur there, as the microclimate is still very different in the south.
Consequently, north Tenerife is more humid with heavier rainfall, while the south stays hot and sunny most of the time. Due to the trade winds, the climate in Tenerife is also relatively mild with lower average temperatures than what you'd normally expect at these latitudes.
Is it safe to swim in the ocean in Tenerife? Due to its position and exposed nature, Tenerife is often hit with strong trade winds. Coupled with the ferocity of the Atlantic Ocean, Tenerife can see very strong waves which can be incredibly dangerous to even the most advanced swimmer.
Northern Tenerife is also better if you want to get the best in terms of activities as there are many more of them in the north than south. Also, if you are on a budget, choose Northern Tenerife as well. This part is a cheaper destination, especially in winter.