Climate Overview
Gran Canaria is located at 28° north latitude — at the level of the Sahara, Florida, and Egypt. However, the Atlantic and the trade winds ensure that it never gets extremely hot. The result: a subtropical, mild climate with surprisingly little rain. But beware: Gran Canaria officially has over 14 different microclimates in a small area.
| Region | Summer (Jun–Sep) | Winter (Dec–Feb) | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| South (Maspalomas) | 25–30°C | 19–23°C | Hardly any (under 100mm/year) |
| Las Palmas | 23–28°C | 17–22°C | Little (approx. 150mm/year) |
| North (Agaete, Teror) | 22–27°C | 15–20°C | More precipitation, greener |
| Highlands (1,000m+) | 15–22°C | 8–15°C | Most (up to 900mm/year) |
The trade wind effect is crucial: The moist northeast trade winds accumulate on the mountains and form the typical cloud layer on the north side (mar de nubes). Therefore, the north is greener and cooler, the south drier and sunnier. In the mountains, it can drop below 5°C at night in winter — a jacket belongs in your luggage, even on a beach holiday!
