The Weather in the Canary Islands in February

February is very much a winter month in the Canaries, and as such you can expect some mixed weather during the month. Daily highs are typically in the very low 20s (Celsius) and nightly lows in the mid-teens. Where you stay will impact the likelihood of sunshine, though there is always the possibility of a few days of cloud and rain at this time of year.

The general rule in Canary Islands is that the south of each island is sunnier and drier than the north – and this contrast is even more extreme in the western islands with higher mountains.

Cloud in the Pine Forests of La Palma
Pine Forest in La Palma

Which Canary Island has the best weather in February?

In reality, a better question would be: which part of the Canary Islands has the best weather in February? The resorts on the south coast of Tenerife usually have the sunniest and driest weather in the Canaries at this time of year. Conversely, the north coast of Tenerife has some of the cloudiest and rainiest weather in February. Elsewhere, the south of Gran Canaria also offers lots of sunshine, while Lanzarote can be a bit hit-and-miss. The weather in Fuerteventura is generally somewhere in between the south of Gran Canaria and Lanzarote. La Palma is green for a reason and is often quite wet at this time of year.

What are daytime temperatures like?

Tenerife South Airport sees average daily maximums of about 22°C, with some days hitting the upper 20s. At the other extreme, Lanzarote Airport typically sees average daily highs of about a degree cooler. It should be noted, that the locations of the Airports (where most long-term weather observations have been recorded), are not necessarily indicative of the daily maximums in the main tourist resorts.
While those are the averages, the range of daily high temperatures is typically between 18 and 24°C in Lanzarote and from 19 to 26°C in the south of Tenerife.

Temperatures at Night

Around the coasts in February, there is a general trend of colder nighttime temperatures in the east (especially Lanzarote) to milder lows in the west. The sea is a moderating factor, and the sea is warmer around the western islands. There is also quite a bit of variation in nighttime low temperatures between localities, with large urban areas such as Las Palmas often quite a bit warmer due to the effects of the urban heat island, and insulation from cloud cover.

In terms of actual nighttime temperatures, Lanzarote’s coast sees average lows of around 14°C in February, while the city of Las Palmas (Gran Canaria) sees lows of around 16°C.

Rain

As I said earlier, there is the chance of unsettled weather anywhere in the Canary Islands at this time of year. However, to maximise your chances of sunny weather, the south of Tenerife or Gran Canaria are your best bet. The north of La Palma is particularly wet at this time of year, and the north of both Gran Canaria and Tenerife also see quite a bit of rain. Both Lanzarote and Fuerteventura can see rainy weather at this time of year, though it is also possible for there to be no rain at all. In general, Fuerteventura is drier than Lanzarote though.

Wind

February is not a particularly windy month in the Canaries, though there is always the chance of blustery weather if there is a weather system passing across the islands. As usual, the south-western leeward side of the islands is less windy than the northern or eastern sides.

Calima

The winter months see more episodes of Calima (dust from the Sahara Desert) – these usually last about 3 days and bring poor visibility and unpleasant dust. Thankfully, when they occur at this time of year, they don’t bring the high temperatures associated with Calimas in July or August. The eastern islands are generally more affected (especially Lanzarote), though the dust can reach all of the islands.

Sea Temperatures

Sea temperatures are cooler in the north-east of the archipelago, and warmer in the south-west. So, at this time of year, the waters around Lanzarote and La Graciosa are around 17°C, and the waters around El Hierro are around 19°C. These are fairly cool temperatures for most people, so a wetsuit is advisable if you plan on activities that require long periods in the water (surfing, snorkelling etc.). It is also advisable to book accommodation with a heated pool.

Links

Aemet – Canary Islands Weather forecast from the Spanish State Meteorological Service.
Weather in Lanzarote in February
Weather in Tenerife in February
Weather in Fuerteventura in February
Weather in Gran Canaria in February
Which Canary Island has the best Weather?

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