The Weather in the Canary Islands in May

Red Tajinastes in bloom in Tenerife in May
Red Tajinastes in bloom in Tenerife in May

Daytime High Temperatures

Temperatures begin to heat up in the Canary Islands in May, and although the average daily highs in coastal areas are between 23 and 25°C, some areas will likely see some 30°C days. Puerto del Carmen in Lanzarote and the resorts in the south of Tenerife see some of the warmest daytime temperatures in the Canaries at this time of year.

Nighttime Temperatures

In coastal areas of Lanzarote, temperatures typically drop to around 17°C at night in May, further west in Gran Canaria and Tenerife, evening temperatures are about a degree or so warmer. In the mountains, temperatures obviously drop a bit more and can still be quite cold at night. If you are staying in one of the larger tourist resort areas, then there is still the possibility of a 14°C evening, so you should probably still pack a light jacket or cardigan just in case.

Rain

By May, average total precipitation for most parts of the Canary Islands is down to single figures (mm) for the entire month. The only exceptions to this are the northern mountainous slopes of Tenerife, the northern mountains of Gran Canaria, the north and east of La Palma as well as some small areas of the highest mountains of El Hierro and La Gomera.

Cloudy?

The northern parts the islands can be quite cloudy in May – especially in the mornings. To maximise your chances of plenty of sunshine, head to the southern resort towns, where it is usually sunnier.

Sea Temperatures

The sea continues to warm around the Canaries in May, with the western islands usually hitting 20°C, and the eastern islands seeing 19°C. This is still fairly ‘refreshing’, so you may want a wetsuit for any water-based activities where you will be spending long periods in the water.

So which island is best in May?

The weather is good nearly everywhere in the Canaries in May, though some areas can see a little cloud. For this reason, we recommend the south of Tenerife in May, since it will likely be sunnier there, and visitors can also drive above the clouds into the spectacular Teide National Park to see the stunning Red Tajinastes in bloom.

Further Reading

Aemet – Canary Islands Weather forecast from the Spanish State Meteorological Service.
The weather in Lanzarote in May
The weather in Fuerteventura in May
The weather in Gran Canaria in May
The weather in Tenerife in May

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