Weather Maspalomas , Gran Canaria
The climate of Maspalomas is one of the principal reasons for it being such a popular holiday destination. Temperatures in Maspalomas are pleasant throughout the year; winters are mild and summers are warm without being stiflingly hot, thanks to the cooling northeast trade winds that prevail in the region. The climate can be described as subtropical and with over 2700 hours of sunshine a year, Maspalomas is one the driest and sunniest places in the Canary Islands.
Maspalomas is a tourist town on the south coast Gran Canaria in the Canary Islands. Gran Canaria is the third largest island of the Canary Islands archipelago, located off the coast of North Africa and often referred to as the 'Islands of Eternal Spring' for their enviable climate.
There are two main reasons for the absence of the stifling summer temperatures which are commonly endured on the North African mainland, just 200km to the east: the northeast trade winds and the Canary Current.
The northeast trade winds are frequent in summer and bring cooler air to Maspalomas. The winds are caused by hot air rising to high altitudes over the equator. This air travels north, then sinks and cools before turning back and hitting the Canaries. In July the trade winds are nearly constant.
Maspalomas is famous for its 12km long beach and the extensive sand dunes found in the area. Maspalomas is also popular for a number of other tourist activities such as water parks and offers the largest golf course in Gran Canaria, therefore making it one of the best resorts on the island for beach lovers and family holidays.
The island has one of the lowest cross-season temperature variations of anywhere in the world. Average highs range from 20ºC in winter to 26ºC in summer, while average lows are between 14ºC and 21ºC.
The Canary Current is the other phenomenon and causes cooler waters to flow past the Canary Islands. Sea temperature around Maspalomas varies between 19ºC in winter and 23ºC in late summer that means it's warm enough for swimming year round. Maspalomas offers a number of water sport opportunities including jet skiing, surfing, parasailing, water-skiing, inflatable rides and even speedboats. On a warm, sunny day you may also want to visit Aqualand, which is the biggest water park in the Canary Islands.
As Maspalomas is situated in the south of the island, it is one of the driest places on Gran Canaria. This is because the wet weather usually comes from the north and the south is sheltered by the mountains in the middle of the island. The hot temperatures and low rainfall of the south of the island is perhaps most reflected in the Maspolomas sand dunes that contrast with the more fertile north.
You also won't have to worry too much about cloudy skies as the median cloud cover in Gran Canaria generally ranges from 27% to 50%. You can expect much clearer skies in the summer months from June to August, whilst it may be a bit more cloudy around October to December. The beach in the photo below is Playa del Inglés in Maspalomas which has an upmarket and glamourous feel, compared to many of the other resorts.
Spring Weather in Maspolomas
In spring which we describe here as March and April it's going to feel like a baking summer to anyone who lives the UK! The high temperatures can reach as high as 23°C, with the average being a very warm 18-19°C. Temperatures will rarely drop to below 16°C even at night time so you can pack some light and airy clothing for your spring holiday. As Maspalomas is situated in the south of the island, it is one of the driest places on Gran Canaria. This is because the wet weather usually comes from the north and the south is sheltered by the mountains in the middle of the island. Therefore, rainfall is quite low at this time and sunshine is plentiful with 10-11 hours a day. Average precipitation levels are 14mm in March and then sharply drop to 6mm in April.
These figures lead to spring being a very popular time to book a holiday in Maspalomas. Strangely enough, however, the coldest temperature recorded in Maspalomas was only 9.7°C on March 15th in 2011.
Summer Weather in Maspolomas
Summer which lasts from May to August is the hottest and driest time at this resort. Expect temperatures to reach an average of 21°C with a possible high of up to 28°C, particularly in August. The lowest average temperature for this season may occur in May but it's still a very warm 18°C, so you're unlikely to ever experience the cold if you plan your holiday at this time of the year. The highest temperature recorded in recent years in Maspalomas was an absolutely sweltering 42°C on July 22nd in 2005.
Annual rainfall is very low in Maspalomas and summer months see almost no rainfall whatsoever.
Over the course of the year in Maspalomas and the rest of Gran Canaria, typical wind speeds vary from 1 mph to 31 mph. On average, the highest average wind speed of 24 mph occurs around July 19th. These figures make it difficult to predict whether you will experience a cooling breeze, so make sure you're always covered in sun tan lotion to avoid getting a nasty burn.
Autumn Weatehr in Maspolomas
The autumn months of September and October are still extremely warm. In fact, it is much hotter in comparison to the fringe months of the spring earlier in the year. The average temperature being a high 24°C in September and 23°C in October, means this is an excellent time to plan your holiday if you want to be sure to have hot sunny days. In addition, after the warming effect of the summer, the sea temperature is at its highest in these months of the year, at a warm 23°C for both. For both September and October you're likely to get a full 10 hours of sunshine so make sure you pack summer clothing and lots of sun cream. It may start to feel a bit muggier around this time as the precipitation levels rise to 18mm in October. In Maspalomas the relative humidity ranges from 51% to 87%, rarely dropping below 33% or reaching as high as 100%. The air is most humid around October 20th, when humidity levels could exceed 80% three days out of four.
Winter in Maspolomas
Winter the months of November to February are the coolest. The beginning of this season in November sees an average temperature of 21°C, which drops to 19°C in December, followed by 17°C in January and February. These temperatures would still count as a very warm day in England, so there's nothing to complain about on a winter holiday to Maspalomas. The rainfall does start to increase in the winter months, but not by a huge amount. The wettest months of the year, December and January see only a little over 30mm a month. These two months typically see rain on just five or six days each. The most common forms of precipitation throughout the year in Maspalomas are moderate rain, drizzle and light rain. In recent years, the highest humidity level recorded was on February 2nd in 2004 at an unbearable 98%, whilst the lowest humidity level recorded was 3% on July 30th in 2007.
The wind can also pick up around this time - the lowest average wind speed of 10 mph occurs around January 2nd. In recent years the highest wind speed average was around 40 mph, recorded on January 25th in 2011.
The shortest day of the year is usually December 21st with 10:22 hours of daylight, while the longest day is June 20th with 13:55 hours of daylight.
Weather hazards
Occasionally in summer, Maspalomas can experience very hot temperatures. This is when the hot sirocco wind is prevailing. Locals refer to this phenomenon as 'calima' or 'Tiempo Africano' (African weather). This wind brings hot, dry air and sand from the Sahara and can see temperatures soar up to 40ºC. The desert sand can reduce visibility to 100 metres. This only occurs once or twice a year but can last anything between a few hours up to a week and makes for very uncomfortable conditions.
As well as the spikes in temperature caused by the winds travelling over the Sahara, Maspalomas can also see dust storms in the winter and early spring (usually occurring between February and March), which usually last for between two and four days, as a result of these same winds. Every 10 years, they can last for as long as two weeks.
Though these storms aren't usually severe and are generally considered to be more of an inconvenience by the locals, they can cause disruptions. It can irritate the eyes, as well as aggravate asthma and other such respiratory problems. It's likely you'll be wanting to seek shelter inside if you are in the area at the time when one of these strikes. Though they don't affect all of Gran Canaria, they are a problem in Maspalomas. Be aware that flights can be subject to delays and cancellations as a result of these storms as well.