Temperatures continue to cool in December, though nighttime temperatures remain mild. There can be some mixed weather in December anywhere on the island, but the south of the island is your best bet for sun.
Daytime Maximum Temperatures
With daily highs in December ranging from 20 to 26°C, the south of Tenerife is one of the best places in the Canary Islands for a winter sun break. Tenerife South Airport sees an average daily high of 22.8°C and it is rare for a December day to hit less than 20°C.
In the north of the Island, temperatures are slightly cooler, though Puerto de la Cruz will see temperatures of at least 20°C on most days. Away from the sea, Tenerife North Airport sees average daily highs of 17.1°C in December, while Izaña Weather Station (2371m) sees average highs of 8.8°C.
Nightly Low Temperatures
At night, temperatures along the south and east coasts drop to around 16 or 17 degrees Celsius on average. In Puerto de la Cruz, temperatures may be a degree or so colder. And although some nights are usually warmer, there will likely be some 14°C evenings as well, so it’s advisable to pack a light jacket and some slightly warmer clothes.
Away from the coast and at higher altitudes, temperatures drop further still, with some sub-zero nights likely in the mountains.
Cloud Cover
The northern slopes of the island are generally cloudier than the south throughout the year, and this difference is particularly notable in December when there are many overcast days in the north.
Tenerife North Airport sees an average of 7.2 completely overcast days in December, and just 1.5 completely clear days. Conversely, Tenerife South Airport sees an average of just 2.7 overcast days during December and 5 completely clear days. The rest of the time sees at least some cloud in the sky at some stage during the day, though there is usually plenty of sunshine in the south.
Rain
December is the wettest month of the year for many parts of the island (including the South). Tenerife South Airport sees an average of 4.9 days with rain, and a total of 30.3mm. Of course, the south of the island has a desert climate, and some years see no rain at all.
Santa Cruz sees an average of 9.4 days with appreciable rain and a total of 43.2mm, while Tenerife North Airport sees an average of 11.8 days with rain and 82.2mm.
Sea Temperatures
The sea around Tenerife continues to cool in December with median temperatures between 20 and 21°C. This is fine for a quick swim on a sunny day, though a wetsuit is advisable if you plan to spend a long time in the water surfing or snorkelling.
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