Let’s say that writing about Gran Canaria Weather can be a bit boring sometimes, here in the south of Gran Canaria it could be months where we don’t see a cloud, especially from March onwards until October.
Our portable air conditioning starts making appereances around our house mid april when the first really hot days start to be very frequent, and we start looking through the wardrobe for light jackets and jeans at the beginning of October.
But Gran Canaria is not called miniature continent for nothing, and the weather could be completely different in the south of the island than in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria the capital on the north east of the island, in fact normally as soon as you drive past Gran Canaria Airport it seems that you are in another island.
Summer is in full and in July specially the last two weeks of the month are some of the hottest in the year, make sure you book a hotel with air conditioning in the rooms or you will have trouble sleeping at night.
Temperatures normally are higher than 30 degrees with some days over 40 degrees.
Winter Weather
The best climate in the whole Europe, that is the winter weather in Gran Canaria specially in the south of the island you will find
Summer Weather
June means the start of very hot and sunny weather with high UV index. As always, it’s important to take care in the sun and heat. The official start of Summer is the eve of 23rd June, when we will celebrate San Juan with beach parties and bonfires all over the island.
July is much of the same, the temperatures are heating up and can reach 35ºC degrees in some parts of the island with the average daytime temperatures in the shade around 29ºC degrees.
We don’t often see much change in weather during July except for the possibility of desert dust blowing over from the Sahara and heatwaves.
Our city, Las Palmas in north Gran Canaria is generally a few degrees cooler than the south which is great for exploring the museums and sightseeing during the hotter months.
- There isn’t usually much change in the Gran Canaria Summer weather, except we may have some more heatwaves on the way, possibly a calima or two, with daily daytime temperatures of 32ºC degrees on average in the south. The north of Gran Canaria usually experiences some low cloud, but temperatures are still high
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What is a Calima?
When we talk about Gran Canaria weather, you may hear locals mention that there is a calima.
But just what is a calima and why should we be concerned?
Several times a year here in the Canary Islands, we experience very hazy days, sometimes with high winds. These can be very hot and dry days especially if they occur in the Summer months. We can also experience a calima during the Winter months which with the right conditions make the air feel cold.
This phenomenon occurs when a mass of sand and dirt picks up and blows over from the Sahara Desert. This is called the Saharan Air Layer or SAL. Here on the islands we call it a Calima.
A calima makes the sky very hazy, the air can turn very hot and the sun often looks very peculiar. The suspended dust and sand lingers in the atmosphere coating everything with a fine reddish orange colour, which you will normally notice most on cars and patio furniture.
How long does a Calima last?
A calima can last from a day to a few days and lately on and off for weeks, all depending on the direction the wind is blowing and the atmosphere. It’s usually a good sign when there is rain on the way after an episode as it cleans the atmosphere.
Is a Calima bad for my health?
The Canarian Government advise common sense when a calima is present. Those with health problems, such as asthma and other lung problems, should take extra care as well as the young and elderly. Depending on the duration and concentration of pollution, the calima could be hazardous for all.
Take shade and stay out of the direct sun, stay hydrated and avoid excessive exercise during the hottest times of the day.
Your skin may feel dry and itchy during a calima so combat this with a good lotion and of course SPF when you are outside. Excessive sneezing and flu like symptoms are also common due to the small particles being breathed in.
What time of year does a Calima come?
A calima can blow over any time of the year, all depending on the wind and current climate. Of course they will feel much hotter in the Summer months as opposed to January.
What does a calima feel like?
A calima can feel like somebody suddenly turned the heat up. The air is hotter and sometimes it feels like hairdryers are blowing at you, you may taste that the air is dusty. If it’s in a cooler month it can feel very cold and dry, especially of an evening.
This shouldn’t put you off booking a holiday to Gran Canaria, islanders have put up with calimas for many years, jump into the Atlantic Ocean to cool down and take some shade with a cold drink, it will be over before you know it.