January Weather in Gran Canaria

Before discussing the weather in Gran Canaria, it is important to state that there are four distinct climate zones on the island. This is due to elevation differences ranging from 0 to 1956 meters (0 – 6417 feet), proximity to the sea, and orientation relative to the prevailing winds. In general, it is cooler and cloudier in the north, and sunnier and warmer in the south.

Daytime High Temperatures

The average daytime maximum temperature in January is about 23°C at Puerto de Mogan and about 21°C in Las Palmas. Some days will be warmer, with some areas in the south seeing 26 or 27°C, and coastal areas in the north perhaps seeing 24°C. The record high for Las Palmas in January is 26.1°C, while the record high for Puerto de Mogan is 30.7°C (18/01/2006).

Nighttime Lows

The median low temperature at Gran Canaria Airport is 15°C in January. Lows will be about a degree warmer than that in Maspalomas or Puerto de Mogan, and about a degree and half warmer in Las Palmas. Some nights may drop to 12 or 13°C, so you will need to pack a cardigan or light jacket for the cooler evenings. The record low for Puerto de Mogan is 10°C – recorded on the 31st of the month in 2005.

In the mountains, temperatures can drop to below freezing, and in some years, there is even snow in the highest areas of the island.

Rain

At Gran Canaria Airport, there are, on average, 5 – 6 days with some rain during January. In the south, there will probably be about half that number of rainy days. In terms of total precipitation, the airport receives an average of 25.1mm during the month. Areas in the south will receive a lot less than this, while upland areas may receive twice this amount. Of course, this being the Canary Islands, during some years, there will be no rain at all in the south of the island in January.

Cloud

The amount of cloud in the sky varies considerably according to location, and the airport sees an average of 23.2 days with some clouds in the sky during January. However, thanks to the effects of Gran Canaria’s mountainous interior against the prevailing North-easterly winds, Maspalomas, Puerto Rico and other areas in the south are much sunnier.

In terms of completely overcast days, there are on average about four completely overcast days during the whole of January.

Wind

January is one of the least windy times of year in Gran Canaria. The average wind speed is 18.9kmph at the Airport (East Coast). The main resorts in the south of the island are sheltered from the prevailing wind, so wind isn’t a big consideration there anyway.

Sea Temperature

The sea is pretty cool at this time of year with an average of between 19 and 20°C. This might be okay for a quick dip, but you may want a summer wetsuit if you plan on any water-based activities.

Summary

The south of Gran Canaria is one of the best places to be in the Canary Islands in January – places such as Puerto de Mogan get plenty of sunshine, and often see temperatures of 24°C. It will be a little chilly at night though, and the sea will be a cool.