Sunday, 07 February 2016 09:44

The 5 Reasons Why The Canary Islands Weather Is So Good

Ideal weather in the Canary Islands Ideal weather in the Canary Islands www.photosgrancanaria.com

Here's what gives the Canary Islands their world-famous good weather. 

The Trade Winds

flower fieldThe wind in the Canary Islands blows from north to south almost every day. This brings cool air from the North Atlantic and keeps the Canary Islands climate within the pleasant range. The Winds also blow away any cumulus clouds that form via evaporation away and keep the skies blue. 

The Trade Winds help to keep hot dusty air from North Africa away from the Canaries (most of the time) and also stop humid tropical air from creeping north. 

The Bubble of Sunshine

Canary Islands sunshine bubblesAs the Trade Winds collide with the highlands of the Canary Islands, they are diverted around them. This creates a cloud-free bubble of sunshine over the south of the islands and means that south Gran Canaria and south Tenerife have some of the sunniest weather in the world; Over 300 days of blue sky every year.

Latitude

The Canary Islands latitudeThe Canary Islands are right in the sweet spot for climate: Just south of the mild Mediterranean and just north of the hot tropics.

The Canary Islands are at the same latitude as other places famous for the climate such as Florida, Egypt and Baja California.

It means we have pleasant weather without cold snaps or high humidity; Just warm weather all year round and no Tropical Storms.

 

The Cold Canary Current

tropical beerThe Canary Islands should be much hotter than they are as they are close to the Tropics and to the Sahara Desert. However, the Cold Canary Current keeps the islands surrounded by cool water that flows down from Europe.

Ironically, it's the same water that keeps Britain and Scandinavia warmer than they should be; Warm flows across the Atlantic from the Caribbean, cools down in northern Europe, then flows down the west coast of Europe before reaching the Canaries. 

By the time it reaches us, it's a cool 18ºC to 21ºC; Perfect for taking the edge off the Saharan heat. 

The Sahara Desert

MaspalomasçThe vast deserts of North Africa keep the Canary Islands hot and sunny and also protect them from tropical storms and Atlantic depressions. A dome of hot rising air sits over the Sahara for most of the year and acts like a shield that pushes storms away from the Canary Islands. It's why we've only had one Tropical storm in 100 years. 

It's why we've only had one Tropical storm in 100 years and are warm and sunny while everywhere else is covered in rain clouds.

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Tip of the day

  • Tip Of The Day: Avoid Bank Card Charges By Paying In Euros
    Tip Of The Day: Avoid Bank Card Charges By Paying In Euros

    Save money and avoid rip-off bank charges while in Gran Canaria by paying in euros when using your credit or debit card.

    Many bars and restaurants in Gran Canaria, and in almost all European holiday destinations, give you the option of paying in euros or in your home currency. Opting for your own currency, while it may seem like the safer option, can add as much as 5% to the bill as it triggers dynamic currency conversion. 

    DCC basically means that the exchange rate is calculated at point of sale rather than by your bank. It allows you to see the total cost of the transaction in your own currency but adds up to 5% to the total because it uses a terrible exchange rate. 

    Since the extra money is shared between your bank and the merchant, some places will automatically bill you in your own currency and hope you don't notice. You have the legal right to refuse and void the transaction should this happen. 

    ATMs too

    The same applies when taking money out of ATM machines in Gran Canaria (and anywhere in Europe); Always choose the local currency option to avoid losing money to poor exchange rates.

    If you opt for the local currency option, using bank ATMs is often the cheapest and safest way of getting euros in Gran Canaria. It's far safer than having a big pile of euros hidden in your room or tucked into your shorts.

    More details in this Daily Telegraph article.

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