The Sea of Clouds

The sea of clouds is an amazing natural phenomenon caused by the Trade Winds that gently push the clouds against the hilltops causing the air moisture to condense: it mainly occurs in northern and northeastern areas of the island between 600 and 1800 metres of altitude. Above this height, the warmer, drier winds prevent the clouds from rising. When seen from above, this spectacular sea of clouds created by these meteorological conditions are a marvellous sight.

Climactic Variations

Tenerife has a wide variety of climates. The greatest contrast occurs during the winter, when you can sunbathe on almost any beach in Tenerife, whilst resting your gaze on the snow-capped peak of Mount Teide, just a few kilometres away. It snows quite hard every year in Las Cañadas and the surrounding area - about two thousand metres above sea level.

There are also many other contrasts in climate to be seen. Santa Cruz de Tenerife usually enjoys warm weather all year round. If you travel from Santa Cruz to the centre of San Cristóbal de La Laguna - the university city of Tenerife - in winter, you would be wise to take some light but warm clothing with you because temperatures can drop sharply in just a dozen kilometres and you may even find it is raining.

The North and the South of the Island also have different climatic conditions. There are more hours of sun all year in the South and more rainfall and higher humidity in the North, which explains the different landscapes and tones of the countryside, although both climates can be considered ideal within the mild and moderate climate we have already mentioned. In fact, 19th century doctors - English and Dutch mainly - recommended the North of Tenerife as the ideal natural cure for several diseases related to the ravages of age and circulation problems. In short, the high temperatures one would expect in Tenerife from its proximity to the Tropic of Cancer and the Sahara Dessert, are softened by the influence of the sea and the cold Canary current. On the other hand, the altitude of the island causes a marked variation in temperature with altitude.

In Tenerife it is spring all year round.

Tenerife lies in the transition area between the subtropical and temperate zones. It benefits from the so-called Canaries cold-stream, which has an extraordinary mildening effect on its climate and from the refreshing trade winds, so greatly appreciated by seafarers.

Its climate is precisely a reason for visiting Tenerife at any time of the year; it is always spring, with an annual average of 23 degrees centigrade and minimal variations between maximum and minimum.

Within the context of these mild conditions, the island has a surprising variety of microclimates for every taste, within a small distance of each other. The south is drier and warmer, with longer periods of sunshine; the north is more humid and its climate even milder. La Laguna, the island´s second most important city, provides a further surprise, given that at some 550 metres above sea level, it has noticeably lower temperatures. Let us not forget, that Teide reaches a height of 3,718 metres and as one goes up towards it, can encounter high-mountain conditions. It is therefore advisable to pack an item of warm clothing when visiting Tenerife.