Christmas in the Sun?
Lanzarote is a popular destination for winter sunshine. While it is far warmer than Northern Europe, the weather can still be a little unpredictable at this time of year. There is a chance of rainy weather, there could be dust from the Sahara, or there could be wall-to-wall sunshine.
Daytime Maximum Temperatures
Daytime high temperatures in Lanzarote typically reach about 21 or 22°C in December, with some days hitting 24 or 25°C. The highest temperature ever recorded in December at Lanzarote Airport is 27.5°C – registered on the 2nd of the month in 2000.
Nighttime Low Temperatures
The average nighttime minimum temperature in December 15.4°C, though this has trended upwards in recent years, and there may be some 20°C nights during the month. Temperatures may be slightly warmer in the urban areas of the main resort towns, and cooler at inland places such as Tias or Uga. It will likely be cool on most evenings, so a light jacket or cardigan is advisable. Incidently, the coldest temperature ever recorded at Lanzarote Airport in December was a chilly 9°C back in 1979.
Chance of Rain
There are usually around 7 or 8 days with some rain during December, though often it is just a light shower. The airport gets an average of 29.3mm during December, making it the rainiest month of the year in Lanzarote. Having said all that, it is extremely hard to predict the rain in an arid area such as Lanzarote, and there is often no rain at all during the month. Torrential rain is also possible, and the Airport has recorded 50.7mm in a single day in December.
Wind
December is the least windy time of year in Lanzarote with a median wind speed of 18kmph. There is, however, a chance of stormy weather with strong winds in December, as well as plenty of still days.
Sea Temperature
The sea still retains some of its summer warmth around Lanzarote in December with a median temperature of around 20°C. The sea is cooling though, so by the end of the month, it will be around 19°C. Hardier souls may find the sea warm enough for a quick dip, but a summer wetsuit is advisable if you plan any water-based activities such as surfing or snorkelling.
Calima
There is a chance of an episode of calima in Lanzarote during December. This is when the wind direction changes to the east, and dust from the Sahara Desert is blown over the islands. While the easterly wind does not bring soaring temperatures in December, the thick dust is unpleasant and can exacerbate underlying health problems.
Links
Aemet.es Weather forecast from the Spanish State Meteorological Agency
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