The weather in October in Tenerife cannot be compared to a warm and sunny summer in the Low Countries, as it is warmer and sunnier. Those traveling to Tenerife in October are obviously interested in the climatic conditions and the weather that this subtropical region offers.
To provide a realistic overview, we must consult the meteorological institute and delve into long-term averages.
Aemet Data
Tenerife, as the largest island of the Canary Islands, has a subtropical climate with mild temperatures throughout the year. The month of October shows little difference in temperature and rainfall between the northern and southern parts of the island. The Las Cañadas Nature Reserve, the Teide National Park, and Mount Teide are part of a climate that is only active in high mountain ranges.
The data published in this article are long-term averages, meaning the numbers may be slightly higher or lower, but significant differences are unlikely. Since most tourists stay in the south of Tenerife, we use the long-term averages from Aemet found at the Tenerife South Airport.
Temperatures
The maximum temperatures decrease daily by 1°C, from 27°C to 26°C, and rarely drop below 24°C or exceed 29°C. The minimum temperatures decrease daily by 1°C, from 21°C to 20°C, and rarely drop below 18°C or exceed 22°C.
For reference: on August 19, the hottest day of the year, temperatures in Tenerife typically range from 22°C to 28°C, while on February 8, the coldest day of the year, they range from 15°C to 21°C.
Clouds
In October, cloud cover increases in Tenerife, with the percentage of time the sky is cloudy or mostly cloudy rising from 28% to 38%. The clearest day of the month is October 1, with clear, mostly clear, or partly cloudy conditions 72% of the time.
For reference: on November 15, the cloudiest day of the year, the chance of overcast or mostly cloudy skies is 38%, while on July 18, the clearest day of the year, the chance of clear, mostly clear, or partly cloudy skies is 98%.
Precipitation
A wet day is a day with at least 1 millimeter of liquid precipitation. At Tenerife South Airport, the chance of a wet day in October is around 3%.
The average rainfall over a 31-day period in October in Tenerife gradually increases. The month starts with 6 millimeters, rarely exceeding 17 millimeters, and ends with 13 millimeters, rarely exceeding 34 millimeters or dropping below 1 millimeter.
For reference: the highest chance of a wet day throughout the year is 11% on December 29, and the lowest chance is 0% on June 21.
Sun
In October, the length of the day in Tenerife gradually decreases. Sunrise on October 1 is at 7:59 AM, and on October 27, at 7:14 AM. Note that daylight saving time ends on this day. Sunset on October 1 is at 7:51 PM, and on October 27, at 6:24 PM. Here, daylight saving time is also in effect.
Daylight saving time in Tenerife begins at 1:00 AM on October 27, 2024, causing the sun to rise and set one hour later.
For reference: on June 20, the longest day of the year, the sun rises at 7:09 AM and sets 13 hours and 57 minutes later, at 9:06 PM. On December 21, the shortest day of the year, the sun rises at 7:54 AM and sets 10 hours and 21 minutes later, at 6:14 PM.
Humidity
We base the humidity comfort level on the dew point, as this determines whether sweat will evaporate from the skin, cooling the body. Lower dew points feel drier, while higher dew points feel more humid. Unlike temperature, which generally fluctuates significantly between day and night, the dew point changes more slowly, meaning that even if the temperature drops at night, it will generally still feel humid on a humid day.
The chance of a day in Tenerife feeling humid decreases quickly in October, from 34% at the beginning of the month to 16% by the end.
For reference: on August 30, the most humid day of the year, muggy conditions occur 45% of the time, while on January 14, the least humid day of the year, muggy conditions occur 0% of the time.
Wind
This section covers the hourly average wind vector (speed and direction) at 10 meters above ground. The wind at a particular location is strongly influenced by local topography and other factors; and instantaneous wind speed and direction can vary more than hourly averages.
The average hourly wind speed in Tenerife remains nearly constant in October, within a range of about 0.5 kilometers per hour, around 17.2 kilometers per hour.
For reference: on July 16, the windiest day of the year, the average daily wind speed is 25.4 kilometers per hour, while on October 6, the calmest day of the year, the average daily wind speed is 16.7 kilometers per hour. The minimum average daily wind speed in October is 16.7 kilometers per hour on October 6.
Average Wind Speed
The average hourly wind speed (dark gray line), with bands from the 25th to 75th percentile and from the 10th to 90th percentile.
The average hourly wind direction in October in Tenerife is predominantly from the north, with a maximum of 71% on October 1.
Water Temperature
Tenerife South Airport is located near a large body of water, specifically the Atlantic Ocean. This paragraph shows the average surface temperature of the water over a large area.
The average water surface temperature at Tenerife South Airport decreases by one degree Celsius in October, from nearly 24°C on October 1 to 23°C on October 31.
Topography
For the weather in October in Tenerife, the geographic coordinates of Tenerife South Airport were used: latitude: 28.044°, longitude: -16.572°, and elevation: 50 meters.
The topography within 3 kilometers of Tenerife South Airport has very significant elevation changes, with a maximum elevation difference of 286 meters and an average elevation above sea level of 66 meters. Within a radius of 16 kilometers, there are very large elevation changes (1,931 meters). Within a radius of 80 kilometers, there are also extreme elevation changes (3,704 meters).
The area within 3 kilometers of Tenerife South Airport is covered by shrubs (44%), cropland (33%), and artificial surfaces (15%); within 16 kilometers by water (50%) and shrubs (25%); and within 80 kilometers by water (88%).
Sources
This article “The Weather in October in Tenerife” illustrates the typical climate in Tenerife, based on a statistical analysis of historical periodic weather reports and model data reconstructions between January 1, 1980, and December 31, 2016.
For those who want to read the detailed report (in Spanish), you can find it HERE.
Guy Devos © Photography
The weather in october in Tenerife ©
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