Canary and Balearic Islands climates compared with the mainland

Key rules

• Canary north and south: On Tenerife and Gran Canaria the north is cloudier and wetter, and the south is sunnier and very dry.
• Calima: Calima mostly arrives from November to March, lasts a day to about a week and can add 5-10 °C or more.
• Balearic storm season: Heavy DANA storm rain is most likely from September to November.
• Mallorca interior: The interior has hotter summers and colder winter nights than Palma, with some frost.
• Mountains: Coastal figures do not apply in the mountains, which are wetter and colder.

The short version

Both island groups are milder than most of the mainland, but they work differently. The Canaries are subtropical and stay mild all year. The Balearics have a Mediterranean pattern: hot dry summers, wet autumns and a real contrast between coast and interior.

Canary Islands: mild all year

Canary coasts barely change through the year. In winter (December to February) daytime highs are about 20-22 °C and nights about 14-17 °C. In summer (July and August) highs are about 26-30 °C and nights about 20-24 °C. Las Palmas is about 21/15 °C in January and 27/22 °C in August. Santa Cruz de Tenerife is about 21/16 °C in January and 29/22 °C in August. The sea runs from about 18-19 °C in winter to about 22-24 °C in late summer.

These figures are for coastal lowlands. Mountain areas such as Teide are much colder.

North or south: the trade winds decide

On Tenerife and Gran Canaria, the northeast trade winds hit the north side of each island first. The north is cloudier, wetter and cooler. A layer of cloud, a "sea of clouds", often sits at about 600-1,500 m. The south is sunny, very dry and warmer.

• Southern coasts: about 100-200 mm of rain a year (Tenerife Sur airport and Maspalomas about 100-150 mm), with about 2,800-3,000+ hours of sun.
• Northern lowland towns: about 400-600 mm a year. Santa Cruz is drier, at about 250 mm.
• High northern slopes: over 700-1,000 mm.

Southern coasts are also 1-3 °C warmer, and the north is gloomier, especially in summer. Altitude and exact location change things a lot, so visit a neighbourhood in the season you will live there before you commit.

Calima: dust and heat

Calima is a haze of Saharan dust and sand blown in by easterly or southeasterly winds. It cuts visibility, drops humidity sharply and often raises temperatures by 5-10 °C or more. It happens several times a year, mostly from November to March, though summer episodes bring extra heat. Each one usually lasts from a day to about a week. It hits the eastern islands most and sometimes reaches the mainland and the Balearics.

The dust can irritate eyes and airways and make asthma, COPD and heart conditions worse. During a warning, stay indoors if you are vulnerable, and follow the national weather service and Canary government alerts.

Balearic Islands: storms and contrasts

Autumn storms

Heavy rain is most likely from September to November, when the warm sea fuels violent storms. There is a smaller risk in spring. The main dangers are:

• DANA: a pocket of cold air high above that sits over the area and can bring torrential rain, flash floods and hail. In October 2018 a flood at Sant Llorenç in Mallorca killed 13 people.
• Cabo de pluja: the local term for spells of autumn storms and rain.
• Medicanes: Mediterranean cyclones that resemble tropical storms. They are rare but have been recorded.
• Waterspouts, tornadoes and strong winds: these also occur.

Orange and red warnings are issued for these events. Avoid dry riverbeds and low-lying roads in autumn, and do not rent or buy in a flood-prone spot without asking locals about it.

Mallorca: three climates in one island

• Coast (Palma): about 400-450 mm of rain a year and about 2,800 hours of sun. January is about 15 °C by day and 6-8 °C at night. August is about 31/21 °C.
• Serra de Tramuntana mountains: peaks reach about 1,445 m. They get about 1,000-1,400 mm of rain a year (Lluc, Sóller area) and are cooler, with occasional snow and frost on the tops.
• Interior plain (Es Pla, Inca, Manacor): about 450-600 mm of rain a year. Summer highs reach 32-34 °C. Winter nights fall to about 2-4 °C, with some frost, and the gap between day and night is larger than on the coast.

Rain peaks in autumn and summer is dry. Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera share the same storm season.

Which suits you?

If you want steady mild weather, choose the Canary coasts, and the south if you want sun. If you want a Mediterranean year with real seasons, the Balearics fit, but expect cold interior winter nights and autumn storms. The questions below cover common doubts.

Frequently asked questions

How much less rain does the south of Tenerife get than the north?

The south coast of Tenerife gets roughly 100-150 mm of rain a year, against about 400-600 mm in lowland northern towns. High northern slopes can pass 700-1,000 mm. Santa Cruz is an exception in the north, at about 250 mm.

How hot does it get during calima in the Canaries?

Calima often raises temperatures by 5-10 °C or more, with very low humidity. Episodes last from a day to about a week and are most common from November to March. If you have asthma or a heart or lung condition, stay indoors while a warning is active.

Is the Mallorca interior colder than the coast in winter?

Yes, the interior plain around Inca and Manacor has colder winter nights, with lows near 2-4 °C and some frost, while Palma has January lows of about 6-8 °C. Interior summers are also hotter, with highs of 32-34 °C.

What should I do when the Balearics get a storm warning?

Take orange and red warnings seriously and avoid dry riverbeds, ravines and coastal roads while they are active. Flash floods can follow torrential rain, as in the October 2018 Sant Llorenç flood in Mallorca. Storm risk is highest from September to November.