Tenerife Forecasts Unusually Warm, Dusty December Long Weekend
Tenerife and the Canary Islands are forecast for an unusually warm and stable December long weekend with spring-like temperatures up to 25ºC, though Saharan dust may cause haze.
Tenerife is set for a stable and unusually warm December long weekend, though some dust from the Sahara might arrive. This is according to the latest forecasts from weather websites Eltiempo.es and Meteored. Both services predict spring-like weather across the Canary Islands, with temperatures much higher than normal for this time of year.
While much of mainland Spain will see ongoing fog, low clouds, and unsettled weather in the northwest, the Canary Islands will enjoy calm conditions and noticeably high temperatures, particularly over the long holiday weekend.
The skies are expected to be mostly clear, with only a few minor cloudy spells. No rain is forecast for the islands during this period.
Weather models suggest Saharan dust will arrive, making the sky hazy and possibly reducing visibility a little, especially on the eastern islands. The State Meteorological Agency (AEMET) explains that this is common when subtropical air patterns are in charge.
Meteored forecasts maximum temperatures between 20 and 25ºC across the Canary Islands. Nights will also be warmer than usual due to subtropical winds. Overall, temperatures will be 5 to 10 degrees higher than the December average. Experts say this warm spell means frost in the islands' higher inland areas is very unlikely during the long weekend.
To give some context, while this article focuses on the islands, Eltiempo.es and Meteored predict a different picture for mainland Spain. The long weekend there will see widespread persistent fog and low clouds, increased instability with rain and showers in northwestern areas, mild temperatures in the Mediterranean and the south, colder conditions inland and in the north, and strong winds around the Strait of Gibraltar and Alboran Sea. This is a stark contrast to the very stable weather expected in the Canary Islands.
While the long weekend will be mild, models hint at a gradual drop in temperatures across Spain, including the Canary Islands, starting Tuesday. However, these longer-range forecasts are still uncertain, so it's best to check official updates closer to the time.