The arrival of the Christmas in the Canary Islands It will be accompanied by a somewhat more wintry atmosphere than usual, with rain, strong gusts of wind and a drop in maximum temperatures in a good part of the Canary archipelagoAlthough it is not a severe storm, the weather is expected to be more unsettled than many residents and visitors are used to at this time of year.
According to State Meteorological Agency (Aemet)The situation will be marked by the entry of Northwest and north flow and the presence of denser cloud cover on the islands with higher elevations. This scenario will favor rainfall on the north-facing slopes, a cool atmosphere for December on the islands, and somewhat rough seas—factors to consider for typical holiday travel.
More frequent rain in the north and cooler weather
The forecast indicates that the archipelago will experience a stage of atmospheric instability, with light to moderate rain which will focus primarily on the northern mountainous islands such as Tenerife, Gran Canaria, and La Palma. In these areas, rainfall may be locally persistent in midlandswithout ruling out that at specific times they may be somewhat more intense.
In the rest of the Canary Islands, the predominant features will be cloudy intervalswith periods of overcast skies alternating with clearings. In areas of the south of the main islands, cloud cover may occur. Isolated showers, especially in the afternoon, although with less frequency and duration than on the northern slopes.
Regarding the thermometer, the Temperatures will remain at typical Canary Island winter levelsbut with a tendency towards a slight decrease in maximumsThe change will be more noticeable during the day, with cooler temperatures also due to the wind. Minimum temperatures will vary little, remaining mild along the coast, but somewhat lower in the midlands and higher elevations.
Within the general context of Spain and Europe, where Christmas will be accompanied by a more pronounced cold spell and snowfall in large areas of the interior of the Iberian Peninsula
Moderate wind with very strong gusts on summits and exposed slopes
El Wind will be another key player of this Christmas episode in the Canary Islands, and sometimes coexists with the trade windsAccording to Aemet, the flow will be established from northwest, gradually turning to north or northeast as the hours go by. In general, it will be moderate intensitybut at certain points it can achieve very outstanding streaks.
The most affected areas will be the summits and the eastern and western slopes of the mountainous islands, where they are expected occasionally very strong gustsIn Tenerife, for example, particularly intense temperatures are expected. central peaks, the Dorsal Range and the Cañadas del Teide, areas where the orography channels the flow and amplifies the wind speed.
Similar situations may occur in La Palma, La Gomera and El Hierrowith strong gusts in high areas and extremes of the islands, while in Gran Canaria the wind will be felt most strongly in summits and eastern and western slopesIn these areas, in addition to the discomfort it may cause, the wind can generate added risks on mountain roads, trails and exposed viewpoints.
In more sheltered coastal areas and shorelines, the wind will be moderate or even light at times, especially when the flow becomes somewhat more variable. Even so, The perceived temperature will be reduced. due to the combined effect of fresh air and humidity, resulting in an environment that is colder than what the thermometers will show.
Sea state: swell and northerly swell
The weather situation will also be reflected in the sea ​​stateThis is a key aspect for those planning to travel by sea or participate in nautical activities during the holidays. It is expected West, northwest and north winds with force 3 to 5which it will be able to reach strength 6 in some areas, generating slight swell or rough sea in large sectors of the Canary Islands environment.
In more sheltered areas of the archipelago, where the wind loses intensity, a choppy sea or slight swellHowever, the presence of North or northwest swell, with waves close to two metersIt will maintain a somewhat altered sea state even at times of lower wind.
It is also considered possibility of occasional downpours In the north of the archipelago, these conditions may be accompanied by stronger gusts of wind and sudden changes in sea state over short periods of time. This combination advises Caution advised to fishermen, water sports enthusiasts, and recreational boat users.
Meteorological authorities remind everyone that, during these days of travel for Christmas, it is advisable Check the forecast updates frequently, both from Aemet and from port services, to find out about the evolution of waves, wind and possible warnings in force.
Forecast by island: where it will rain the most at Christmas
The instability will not affect the entire archipelago equally. Although the The common denominator will be the combination of clouds, rain, wind, and a drop in temperatures.Each island will present its own nuances depending on its relief and exposure to the north flow.
Lanzarote
En LanzaroteThe Christmas festivities will begin with Cloudy skies and likely light to moderate rain During the early morning hours. As the day progresses, cloud cover will gradually decrease, leaving a clear atmosphere. A little bit cloudy, with a much lower risk of rain.
The Temperatures will remain virtually unchanged.Although a slight decrease in maximum temperatures is expected, resulting in somewhat cooler weather compared to previous days. The wind will blow from Northwest, turning north in the afternoonand some possibility is not ruled out locally very strong streak inlandIn Arrecife, approximate values ​​are expected to be 15 ºC minimum and 20 ºC maximum.
Fuerteventura
The situation in Fuerteventura It will be similar to that of Lanzarote. The predominant features will be... Cloudy skies with light to moderate rain in the early hoursespecially in the early hours and at the start of the morning. Later, the clouds will break up and clear skies will prevail. partly cloudy or with intervals.
Temperatures will not vary greatly, with a slight decrease in maximums which will make the atmosphere feel somewhat cooler, though not cold. The wind will blow from northwest, turning north, with possible strong gusts in JandÃa During the afternoon. In Puerto del Rosario, the forecast predicts 15 ºC minimum and 20 ºC maximum.
Gran Canaria
En Gran Canaria, the instability will be more pronounced in the north of the island, where they are expected cloudy skies and light to moderate rain that they may become locally persistent in midlandsOn the northern coasts, the situation will tend to improve during the afternoon with the opening of clear skies.
In the rest of the island, the predominant features will be cloudy intervals, with Low probability of showers in the south During the afternoon. Temperatures will hardly change, although with slight decreases in maximum temperaturesThe weather will remain mild along the coast. The wind will blow from moderate northwest, turning north throughout the day and will be more intense in high areas and east and west slopeswhere they are not ruled out very strong gustsIn Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, the expected values ​​are around 17 ºC minimum and 20 ºC maximum.
Tenerife
En Tenerife, the island most affected by this episode according to Aemet, the The north will experience overcast skies with light to moderate rain, which may be persistent in midlandsThroughout the afternoon, rainfall is expected to ease, especially on the coast, where clear spells may appear.
In the rest of the island, the following will prevail: cloudy intervalsCloud cover will increase in the afternoon in the south, at which point it will be possible occasional showers. The Temperatures will experience little change.although maximum temperatures will tend to decrease slightly. In Santa Cruz de Tenerife, temperatures are expected to be close to 16 ºC minimum and 21 ºC maximum, with a slightly lower perceived temperature due to the wind.
The wind will be one of the most significant aspects in Tenerife: from the moderate northwest, gradually turning to the northeast during the middle of the day. It is expected to be most intense in the far northeast, the western slope and, above all, in the Dorsal Range and the Cañadas del TeideIn these areas they are likely very strong gustswhich could create risky situations on high mountain roads and hiking areas.
La Gomera
En La Gomera will predominate cloudy skies, especially in the northern slope, where they are expected light to moderate rainIn the south, cloud cover will be lower and a tendency to open up in the afternoonleaving a more usable environment.
Temperatures will remain largely unchanged, within the mild range typical for this time of year. The wind will blow from the moderate northwest, turning to northeast during the central hours, with greater intensity on summits and eastern and western slopeswhere they can be produced occasionally very strong gustsIn San Sebastián de La Gomera, around 17 ºC minimum and 21 ºC maximum.
La Palma
La La Palma Time will be dictated by the Cloudy skies and rain in the north, which may be locally persistent in midlandsAs the hours pass, the rainfall will tend to subside and clearings will appear on the north coast, especially from the afternoon onwards.
In the rest of the island, the predominant features will be cloudy intervalstending in the afternoon to cloudier skies in the southwhere it cannot be ruled out some isolated showersTemperatures will suffer few changesWith a cool atmosphere in the north and somewhat milder conditions on the southern coasts. The wind will blow from Moderate northerly winds, turning northeasterly after midday, with stronger gusts in high areas and northwest and northeast slopesas well as in the southeast in the afternoon. In Santa Cruz de La Palma, temperatures are expected to be close to 15 ºC minimum and 19 ºC maximum.
El Hierro
En El Hierro the is expected predominantly cloudy skies, particularly in the northern slopewhere they will register light rain in generalIn other areas of the island, rainfall is less likely, and towards the end of the day, the opening of wide clearings.
Temperatures will barely change and will remain within the typical Canary Islands winter pattern. The wind will blow from Moderate northwest, gradually turning to northeast during the central hours, with greater intensity in the northeast and southeast extremes and, above all, in high areaswhere they could occur occasionally very strong gustsIn Valverde, the expected values ​​are around 12 ºC minimum and 14 ºC maximum.
The Canary Islands in the context of the Christmas season in Spain and Europe
Although the focus of this forecast is on the Canary archipelagoChristmas time is marked, on a broader scale, by an influx of continental polar cold air which will significantly affect the Iberian Peninsula and much of Europe. This situation will bring sharp drops in temperature, widespread frosts and relatively low snow levels in several countries in the European area.
In mainland Spain, Aemet forecasts for the central days of Christmas minimum values ​​below 0°C in numerous inland provinceswith frosts in valleys and plateaus, and episodes of snow at elevations that could reach between 500 and 700 meters in the north and northwest. In contrast, the Canary Islands will remain outside these extreme conditions, but will not escape them the instability associated with northerly windswith frequent rain on the exposed slopes and a cooler environment than usual.
This difference in climate means that the archipelago remains one of the mildest spots in Europe during Christmas, although those seeking sun and absolute calm perhaps they will encounter Unsettled days, somewhat windy and with periods of rain, especially in the north of the larger islands.
Overall, the forecast paints a picture of Christmas celebrations in the Canary Islands with A combination of cloudiness, occasional showers, moderate to strong northerly winds, and a slight decrease in maximum temperatures.Weather more typical of winter, but without reaching the extremes of cold and snow expected in large areas of the Peninsula and other parts of Europe.
The general feeling these days will be one of An unstable but controlled Christmas in the Canary IslandsRain, mainly in the north of the higher islands, periods of strong winds on peaks and exposed slopes, somewhat rough seas with a northerly swell, and temperatures slightly cooler than usual, but not reaching extreme values. A typical Atlantic winter scenario which, despite its changeable nature, will allow for combining Christmas celebrations with daily life, provided that a minimum of caution is exercised on the roads, along the coast, and in mountainous areas.
