How warm is Tenerife in December?
The most reliable local reference is the AEMET weather station at Tenerife Sur Aeropuerto. According to AEMET, the mean December temperature there is 19.7 °C.
The average daily maximum is 22.8 °C and the daily minimum is 16.5 °C. These values come from the official AEMET climate table for Tenerife Sur Aeropuerto, not from individual daily forecasts.
For Santa Cruz de Tenerife, AEMET gives comparison values of 19.4 °C on average, 22.1 °C maximum and 16.6 °C minimum. The differences between the south and the capital are therefore small, but the precipitation patterns differ.
Where is the weather best in December?
The south around Adeje, Arona, Los Cristianos, Playa de las Américas and Granadilla de Abona is generally drier and sunnier. According to AEMET, an average of 30 mm of precipitation falls at the Tenerife Sur station in December.
Places on the north coast, including Puerto de la Cruz, La Orotava and Santa Úrsula, receive moist trade-wind clouds and rain more often. The AEMET normal values for the airport in the south therefore cannot be applied to the whole island.
For Santa Cruz de Tenerife, AEMET gives around 5.4 rain days and 3.0 mm of precipitation. The actual amount of precipitation can vary greatly from year to year.
What is the weather like on Teide in December?
Completely different conditions apply in the Parque Nacional del Teide than on the coast. Temperatures drop significantly with increasing altitude; frost, ice and snow are possible in winter.
For hikes and road journeys to Teide, the current notices from the responsible authorities and any closures must therefore be checked. The coastal values from Tenerife Sur are not suitable as a forecast for high-altitude areas.
The volcano, which rises to 3,715 metres, divides the island climatically: the wetter northern slopes lie under the trade-wind clouds more often, while the south is drier and sunnier because of the rain shadow.
How much rain and sunshine is there in December?
December is one of the wetter seasons on Tenerife, although the south often remains dry. The AEMET normal values for Tenerife Sur show an average of around 30 mm of precipitation and about 195 hours of sunshine in December.
The actual amount of precipitation can vary greatly from year to year. AEMET reported an average of 28.3 mm for the Canary Islands in December 2024, corresponding to 50 percent of the reference value.
December 2025 was classified as wet, with 75.3 mm and 133 percent of the reference value. These figures describe completed months and are not a reliable forecast for any particular December.
What should you pack for Tenerife in December?
For the coast, light clothing, sun protection and a thin jacket for the evening hours are sensible. For the north, rain protection and warmer clothing should also be planned.
For Teide, warm, windproof clothing, sturdy footwear and a check of the official road, weather and trail conditions are required.
During calima, strong wind, thunderstorms or a high risk of fire or rockfall, the official warnings should be observed and closed paths should not be entered.
Is December a good time to visit Tenerife?
December is particularly suitable for beach and relaxation holidays on the south and south-west coast. According to AEMET, the normal values there are an average of 22.8 °C by day and 16.5 °C at night.
December is also suitable for hiking at lower and medium altitudes with appropriate clothing. Trips to towns and natural areas, as well as the combination of a mild coastal climate and a wintry high-mountain landscape, are also possible.
The southern values do not apply to the north and Teide. Anyone who wants to avoid the changeable mountain weather can choose Lanzarote or Fuerteventura instead.