14°C đŚď¸ Why the Weather in Puerto de la Cruz Can Be So Unpredictable (and What That Means for Your Trip)
Congratulaions, you have made the decision to visit Tenerife and in particular to visit the North of the island, and the popular town of Puerto de la Cruz.
But now you are worried about the weather. You have hard it is âalways cloudy in the northâ, âthe sun never shines in the northâ or âthe north lives under a perpetual shroud of cloudâ.
Well, do not panic! Â Letâs take a look at what you really need to know about the weather in Puerto de la Cruz and why â quite often â the forecasts are inaccurate or missleading.
âď¸ Why Is the Weather Hard to Predict?
Microclimates All Over the Island
Tenerife is the largest of the Spainâs Canary Islands and boasts a fascinating variety of microclimates for such a small island, with Mount Teide firmly planted in the middle of the island, effectively splitting the climate in two!
The north is much greener, cooler and indeed cloudier because of the moist trade winds from the northeast which rise along the slopes and form clouds which bring with them the rain.
The south is much drier, sunnier and warmer with a semi arid landscape resembling a more desert type of a landscape.
Even a short journey of just 20 minutes can often mean passing through rain, sun, low clouds and mist only to find more sun!
LETS TALK SOME MORE ABOUT CLOUDS
As previously mentioned, the northeast trade winds are a major factor, as they blow in from across the Atlantic, regularly bringing humid air masses to the northern side of Tenerife.
As this air is forced upwards by the islandâs terrain, it cools and condensesâoften forming low clouds, especially in the morning.  These clouds however, are often burnt off by midday, giving way to a gorgeous sunny afternoon and early evening.
- These cloud banks are known locally as âpanza de burroâ or âdonkey bellyâ, and it is true to say, they can persist for hours over Puerto de la Cruz, especially in summer despite clear skies in other parts of the island.
- These cloud formations are hard to detect in advance and are not always picked up accurately by regional forecasts.
Clouds That Stick Around (But Often Disappear)
The northeast trade winds (alisios) are another major factor. These winds, blowing across the Atlantic, regularly bring humid air masses to the northern side of Tenerife.
As this air is forced upwards by the islandâs terrain, it cools and condensesâoften forming low clouds, especially in the mornings but often burn off by midday, leaving a gorgeous afternoon.
These cloud banks (locally known as âpanza de burroâ or âdonkey bellyâ) can persist for hours over Puerto de la Cruz, especially in summer despite clear skies in other parts of the island.
These cloud formations are hard to detect in advance and are not always picked up accurately by regional forecasts.
âď¸ So⌠What Should You Expect?
Even though forecasts arenât always accurate, hereâs whatâs typical throughout the year:
| Season | What Youâll Get | |
|---|---|---|
| Winter | Mild (17â22âŻÂ°C), more clouds, chance of rain | |
| Spring | Warmer (20â24âŻÂ°C), less rain, fresh breeze | |
| Summer | Warm (24â28âŻÂ°C), some morning clouds | |
| Autumn | Pleasant (22â26âŻÂ°C), chance of rain |
Tenerife doesnât have dramatic seasonal changes but tends to have two transitional periods (spring and autumn) which can bring unusual or erratic weather.
- In late September and October, for example, storms from Africa or subtropical lows can bring sudden rainfall or heavy cloud cover.
- The Calima, a dusty wind from the Sahara, can also distort forecastsâraising temperatures, lowering visibility, and making it feel hotter than predicted. These can occur at any time of the year and can last anything from one day to a couple of days.
IN CONCLUSION
In general, you can expect Puerto de la Cruz to have mild, spring-like weather year-round. Thanks to its location on the north coast of Tenerife in the Canary Islands:
- Temperatures are moderate â usually between 20 °C and 28 °C (68â82 °F), with summers warm but not extreme and winters pleasantly mild.
- Humidity is moderate to high, but the frequent Atlantic breezes make it feel comfortable.
- Rainfall is light overall, concentrated in the cooler months (NovemberâFebruary).
To sum up, Â Â Puerto de la Cruz generally offers pleasant, warm, and breezy weather with plenty of sunshine most of the year, tempered by some clouds and occasional light rain, making it a comfortable and attractive climate for both residents and visitors.
