This Christmas Day showcased the meteorological extremes the Canary Islands can experience, with winter weather in the mountains, unseasonably warm temperatures in the eastern parts of the archipelago, and the highest rainfall, strongest winds, and highest temperatures in all of Spain.
Hail and Snow in Tenerife
In Tenerife, a rare hailstorm was captured on video in the municipality of El Tanque at around 6:00pm. The hail was linked to an anvil-shaped convective cumulus cloud that also brought wintry conditions to the peaks of Chasna and the western areas of Teide National Park.
The snowfall extended to other high-altitude areas, including La Palma, where the Villa de Garafía was seen blanketed in snow, delighting locals and visitors.
The heaviest rainfall of the day was recorded at Roque de Los Muchachos on La Palma, where 26.6 litres per square metre fell, according to data from the State Meteorological Agency (AEMET).
Road Closures and Reopenings
The Tenerife Cabildo reopened key routes to Teide National Park, including the TF-21 (La Orotava-Vilaflor) and TF-38 (Chío). However, the TF-24 (La Esperanza) remains closed due to ice, with safety measures in place for drivers.
Strong Winds on Mountain Peaks
Winds were intense at higher altitudes, with the Izaña weather station in Teide National Park recording gusts of up to 93 km/h and sustained winds of 80 km/h. These winds, driven by a cold air pocket at altitude (DANA), highlighted the strength of the southwesterly flows impacting Tenerife and the western islands.
Spain’s Warmest Temperatures
Despite the wintery scenes in the mountains, the Canary Islands boasted the highest temperatures in Spain on Christmas Day. Vallehermoso in La Gomera led the national rankings with a temperature of 26.4°C, followed by Las Palmas de Gran Canaria at 26.1°C. Other warm locations included Agaete (25.7°C) and Gran Canaria airport (25.3°C).
This dramatic blend of weather phenomena—hail, snow, strong winds, and warm coastal temperatures—illustrates the Canary Islands' unique climatic diversity. From snow-covered peaks to sunny beaches, the archipelago once again proved its ability to deliver stark contrasts, making it a region of extraordinary natural variety even on a Christmas Day.
