A Colder and Wetter December for the Canary Islands
December in the Canary Islands was marked by a distinct drop in temperatures and a significant increase in rainfall, according to the preliminary climatological report published by the State Meteorological Agency (Aemet). The average temperature recorded across the archipelago was 15.7 degrees Celsius, which is 0.7 degrees below the reference value for this period. Alongside the chillier conditions, precipitation played a prominent role. The average accumulated rainfall reached 75.3 litres per square metre, a figure representing 133% of the usual amount for December, confirming a wetter-than-normal end to the year across the islands.
A Month of Shifting Weather Patterns
According to Aemet data, temperatures remained below average for most of the month, with the exception of the 7th, 8th, and 9th of December, when thermometers recorded slightly higher-than-usual values. The start of the month was conditioned by an anticyclonic situation, which favoured northerly winds over the Canaries. This pattern maintained a cool and stable atmosphere until the 6th, with contained temperatures and no major meteorological surprises.
Between the 7th and 9th, the displacement of the Atlantic anticyclone to the north of the Canaries caused a change in wind direction to east-southeast. This shift brought a slight rise in temperatures, accompanied by calima (Saharan dust haze) and a reduction in atmospheric humidity, particularly noticeable in low-lying and urban areas. This episode was brief and quickly gave way to a new thermal drop associated with the arrival of frontal systems.
Stormy Episodes Bring Snow to Mountain Peaks
On 10 December, the passage of a front associated with Storm Bram, coupled with the presence of an upper-level trough to the east of the Canary archipelago, triggered a widespread drop in temperatures. The situation intensified notably on the 12th and 13th with the arrival of Storm Emilia, which affected all the islands. This episode brought persistent and widespread rain, stormy showers, hail, and snowfall on the peaks of La Palma, Tenerife, and Gran Canaria. Strong winds were also recorded, increasing the feeling of cold.
During this cold spell, which lasted from the 11th to the 14th, the greatest negative thermal anomaly of the month was reached. On the 13th, temperatures deviated by up to -4.4 degrees from the average, one of the lowest values recorded in December.
A Chilly but Stable Final Fortnight
From the 15th, an anticyclonic situation re-imposed itself around the Canaries, accompanied by an intense northerly flow. Although the weather stabilised and rainfall decreased, temperatures continued slightly below normal values for the rest of the month, with few significant variations.
The month concluded with another change in the meteorological situation. The approach of Storm Francis from the 30th generated a westerly flow that favoured a slight rise in temperatures. This uptick allowed thermal values to settle around the climatic average on the 31st, thus closing December with a somewhat milder atmosphere.
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