With an average temperature of 17.9% The Canary Islands just felt the warmest (and driest) January in over six decades.
Carrying on the 2023 trend of higher than normal temperatures, 2024 started with the mercury rising +3.1 degrees higher than normal for the month of January. Aemet, the state meteorological agency, reported that the month had been 'extremely warm'.
In La Oliva, Fuerteventura, a new record high temperature was set for January where thermometers touched a whopping 31.7 degrees.
The temperatures and lack of rain fall were somewhat driven by the southeast airflow that carried over the islands for the best of the month. This airflow, fuelled by storm systems to the North West of the Islands, also brought wind speeds in excess of 100km/h in higher parts of Tenerife and La Gomera.
Just to add to the period of warm weather, participation was just 13% of the expected value for the month. Not only was January warm, its was very dry.
Rainfall across the islands was compressed into two periods. The first at the start of January resulting in light precipitation in parts of Lanzarote, La Gomera, Tenerife and Gran Canaria.
Between the 15th and 20th January, south flowing air saw storms and lightening in Gran Canaria.
Holiday-makers flocking to the islands will be hoping for the same throughout February (typically a wet month in the Canary Islands).
Are you visiting the islands soon? Check out the best things to do in The Canaries before you visit.