Weather Lanzarote

Climate in Lanzarote: best time to visit, weather by month, temperature

Lanzarote is a perfect destination to visit 365 days a year, thanks to a subtropical-desert climate, and the small amount of rainfall it receives is mainly concentrated in the winter months. Rainfall during the summer is a rare phenomenon, and between June and August it is less than 0.5 millimetres.

Winter temperatures are around 18°C, while summer temperatures average around 25°C. Lanzarote’s location, close to the Western Sahara Desert and Morocco, makes it the warmest of the Canary Islands, while the lack of high mountains favours less cloud cover, less precipitation and finally many hours of daylight.

However, Lanzarote has a slightly different climate for each part of the island as there are different microclimates. The northern part is usually more cloudy and windy than the southern part and is often characterised by a wetter climate, resulting in more luxuriant plant growth and a greener appearance. The south, on the other hand, is known for its drier, warmer and more moderate climate. It receives around 2500 hours of sunshine each year.

Despite the island’s relatively low orography, there are two low mountain ranges that tend to block the winds. As a result, the western side of the island is typically warmer and drier than the eastern side and this has created a strong contrast in the landscape: the western side is more desert-like, while the eastern side is greener.

When to go to Lanzarote

Lanzarote is an ideal year-round destination, as the climate is mild and rainfall is low. It is therefore an island that is perfectly suited for a holiday both in summer, to enjoy its beautiful beaches, and in winter, to escape the cold of continental Europe.

Summer in Lanzarote

From April to November, Lanzarote is mostly hot and dry. The average temperature rises from 24°C in April to a peak of 29°C in August, returning to 24°C by November. At the beginning and end of the season, nights cool down nicely to around 17°C; fortunately, the sea breezes that blow freely throughout the island and the low humidity make it easier to stay warm.

However, if the Scrirocco wind blows from the east, from Africa and the Sahara, temperatures can rise to 40°C. However, this is a rather rare occurrence. As with the other Canary Islands, the recommendation is to visit in June or September if you want to avoid the crowds of the high summer season.

Winter on Lanzarote

From December to March, the climate is pleasant, with cool nights. The average temperature drops to around 21°C for most of the winter, rising to 23°C in March. Night-time minimum temperatures drop to 15°C in December, 14°C in January and February, returning up to 15°C by March. This means that it is never as cold as in the rest of Europe.

Therefore, winter is a very popular season in Lanzarote: tourists decide to visit to escape the cold and thunderstorms. Rains increase during this season, but are only expected on two or four days per month and do not tend to last very long. However, these short thunderstorms allow at least seven hours of sunshine per day on average.

The sea temperature drops between February and March, reaching 18°C, perhaps too low for swimming. In such cases, choose a hotel with a heated pool.