This Christmas Day 2024, the Canary Islands experienced remarkably contrasting weather patterns, exemplifying the islands' unique climate dynamics. While winter conditions enveloped the volcanic peaks of Tenerife with snowfall and hail, coastal areas basked under unusually warm temperatures contrary to seasonal expectations.
Footage circulated widely on social media, highlighting hail falling around 6 PM near the municipality of El Tanque. The hailstorm was attributed to cumulus convection linked to the region's meteorological dynamics, with significant snowfall reported on elevations like Chasna and the western segment of the Teide National Park. One resident humorously remarked, "I recorded a shabby video with my mobile, but it's something! The funny thing is, I went out to barbecue because it was quite nice, and suddenly!" as he documented the unexpected weather phenomenon.
The peaks of both Tenerife and La Palma were blanketed with snow, particularly noted in Garafía on La Palma, which images showcased on social media, affirming the wintery transformation of this typically mild paradise. A report from Radio Luz displayed the snow-covered Villa de Garafía, stating, "Villa de #Garafía, a 25 de diciembre de 2024. ❄️🍂🌨️🌿,” illustrating the scenic beauty resulting from the snowfall.
Further reports indicated the Roque de los Muchachos on La Palma received the highest rainfall of the day, recording 26.6 liters per square meter. Meanwhile, road conditions varied as authorities announced the reopening of key routes such as TF-21 and TF-38, which lead to Teide National Park. Contrastingly, the TF-24 (La Esperanza) remained closed due to ice presence on the roadway, ensuring travel safety amid these extreme conditions.
The day on the summits was marked by significant wind gusts, as evidenced by data from the Izaña weather station within the Teide National Park, registering wind speeds of up to 93 km/h and sustained winds of 80 km/h at around 10:00 AM. The notable wind conditions reflect the intense southwest flows tied to the isolated high altitude depression (DANA) affecting the region.
Despite these winter conditions at higher elevations, the Canary Islands were simultaneously reporting some of the highest temperatures recorded across Spain on December 25. Vallehermoso on La Gomera reported 26.4 °C, followed closely by Las Palmas de Gran Canaria at 26.1 °C, with several other coastal regions also surpassing 25 °C. This stark climatic duality demonstrates the diversified weather found within the Canary Islands, from the snowy mountain landscapes to the warm, inviting beaches.
Looking forward to the immediate weather forecast, Santa Cruz de Tenerife is expected to maintain similar conditions for the coming days. Reports suggest Thursday will start with intervals of clouds until 6 AM, gradually clearing but forecasted to revert to cloudiness until nightfall. The temperature range is set to remain consistent between 18 and 24 degrees Celsius, with breezy conditions from the southwest.
On Friday, clear skies are predicted until noon, after which cloud cover will increase. Temperatures are expected to hold steady at around 24 °C for the maximum. The weekend forecast indicates partially cloudy conditions on Saturday, before yielding to clearer weather on Sunday, maintaining warmth across the region.
The contrasting weather phenomena evident this Christmas highlight not only the unique natural beauty of the Canary Islands but also the region's capacity to showcase diverse climatic conditions within short distances—an inspiring narrative for both residents and visitors alike.