North-south contrast
Tenerife has a great variety of climates.
One of Tenerife's most striking weather phenomena is experiencing its wonderfully mild winter temperatures on the coast and looking inland towards the mountains to see snow-topped Teide, with the sound of the waves breaking in the background. The truth is that Tenerife's gentle climate allows people to enjoy the sun and the sea at any time of year, as well as producing wonderful countryside, stunning landscapes and lush, dense forests. The south of the Island has more daylight hours altogether, whilst the rainfall is more plentiful in the north and the atmosphere is more humid. This gives rise to different landscapes and hues for you to admire as you explore the Island.
Another example of its contrasts is the difference between the capital, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, with its warm weather all year round, and the city if San Cristóbal de La Laguna, which shows that at certain times of year the temperature can drop significantly in just a few dozen miles.
It is amazing the number of microclimates there are in Tenerife, nurturing a great variety of vegetable species. The north side is exposed to the trade winds, where the coastal areas boast a mild average temperature of 19 to 23 ºC (66 to 73 ºF) thanks to the stabilising influence of the sea. At altitudes of 600 to 1500 m (1,970 to 4,920 ft) above sea level, the air gets cooler and the humidity encourages the growth of grain and potato crops. From that altitude upwards, the air gets drier and some snowfall can be seen in winter, with temperatures fluctuating significantly from daytime to night-time. In Las Cañadas del Teide, 2,700 m (8,860 ft) above sea level, you will find certain species of plants that only grow in Tenerife because of the area's unique climate. The south coast of Tenerife is more arid, with ideal temperatures for sunbathing and relaxing by the sea.