Lanzarote weather by month

When to go to Lanzarote

For beach weather, look at months where the daytime average clears 25°C and rainy days stay low: none reach a 25°C average here, so Lanzarote suits city breaks and walking more than beach holidays; the warmest is August. December is the wettest month (19 mm, about 4 rainy days) and June the driest (0 mm). The sea is warmest in September at 22.9°C and coolest in February at 18.1°C.

Getting there

A direct flight from London Gatwick to César Manrique-Lanzarote Airport (ACE, 6 km from Puerto del Carmen) takes roughly 4 h 6 min - short-haul (up to 4.5 h) by UK standards. Time-zone: Atlantic/Canary.

Records and extremes, 1991-2020

The hottest day recorded in Lanzarote between 1991 and 2020 reached 38.4°C on 26 August 2020; the coldest fell to 9.6°C on 8 February 2018. In August one day in ten tops 26.3°C and about 3% of days pass 30°C; in January one night in ten drops to 13.5°C or below. The wettest single month of the period was November 2014 with 72 mm, against a November average of 12 mm.

Winter and spring: mild days, with warmth building slowly

December to February suits travellers who want mild weather rather than a hot beach holiday. December averages 20°C by day but has the most rain days, so leave room to change outdoor plans. January and February are cooler at 18°C, with nights calling for a jumper or light jacket. March edges up to 19°C, though its sea remains as cool as February's at 18°C: more appealing for a brief dip than a long swim if you feel the cold. April brings warmer afternoons and less frequent rain, making lighter daytime clothing more practical. By May, days average 21°C and rain days average 0. That makes late spring a better fit for spending much of the day outdoors, without the warmer afternoons of late summer.

Summer: the strongest choice for warm, dry days

June is the gentler start to summer, with daytime temperatures of 22°C and a sea temperature of 21°C. It suits travellers who want warmth without choosing the hottest part of the year. July rises to 24°C, while August is the hottest month, averaging about 25°C. Both have 9 hours of sunshine a day, giving you more scope to spend time outside than in winter. Plan shade breaks around midday and pack light clothing, though a layer can still be useful in the evening. Summer rain days average 0, so rain is less likely to interrupt plans, rather than impossible.

Autumn: warm seas, then a gradual cooling

September is the strongest autumn choice for a swimming holiday: days remain around 25°C, nights average 22°C and the sea reaches 23°C. It combines late-summer warmth with sea temperatures higher than in July or August. October keeps that 23°C sea temperature even as daytime warmth eases, so it is a good compromise if swimming matters more than long sunny days. The catch is the return of occasional rain and fewer sunshine hours. November is milder again, with both daytime and sea temperatures averaging 21°C. Pack an evening layer and keep outdoor plans flexible, rather than expecting every day to feel like summer.