Tenerife AirportThe weather in Tenerife and at its airports
Official forecast for the two airports and major destinations, and why fog is causing flight delays in the north.
The weather in Tenerife and at its airports
The official forecast from the State Meteorological Agency for the two municipalities where the airports are located and the island’s three major destinations. It updates automatically.
In Tenerife the weather is not one but two. The trade wind drops its moisture on the northern slope and leaves the south dry and sunny, so it can be raining in La Laguna and sunny in Adeje on the same day. That is why there are five forecasts and not one.
The Northern Mist
And that is why the North airport has a reputation for fog. It is situated on a plateau at an altitude of over 600 metres, right on the edge where the sea of clouds settles. When you fly in, it is not usually the airspace that closes, but rather a delay, a bit of a wait in the air and, in the worst-case scenario, the diversion to the South airport — which is 54 km from what was to have been your destination.
If you’re flying north in winter or first thing in the morning, it’s worth checking the forecast before you leave home and making sure you know the route from the south to your destination, just in case: here it is. And the actual delay to your flight, in arrivals at the North airport.
Forecast by municipality
San Cristóbal de La Laguna — the municipality of the North airport
Granadilla de Abona — the municipality of the South airport
Santa Cruz de Tenerife — the island capital
Puerto de la Cruz — the tourist north
Adeje — the tourist south
Frequently Asked Questions
Because of the fog. The airport is situated at an altitude of over 600 metres on the northern slope, where a sea of clouds forms. When visibility is poor, flights are held up, delayed or diverted to the southern airport.
No, and there’s a big difference. The trade winds bring rain to the north and leave the south dry: Puerto de la Cruz and La Laguna have far more rainy days than Adeje or Granadilla. That’s why sun-seeking tourism is concentrated in the south.
From the State Meteorological Agency’s public widget. We haven’t created it or edited it ourselves: it’s loaded from AEMET every time you open the page.