In my opinion the weather in Fuerteventura makes the climate one of the best in the world, not that I have visited everywhere to compare of course but I am well quite travelled. It was the climate in Fuerteventura that was one of the most important reasons I moved here.
The Fuerteventura weather is not one of extremes. In summer it is rarely very hot, as it can be in southern Spain, with temperatures reaching 33ºC. In winter it is very mild, with temperatures often reaching 25ºC and never going below 11ºC, even at night. Rain is almost non-existent during the summer and is not that common in winter either.
As an example of how it is never cold in winter, I wear shorts all year – for over ten years now without wearing long trousers. The locals would disagree with that though as they often wear more clothes in winter than I used to wear in a British winter.
There are a number of reasons why the island has such a lovely climate. The Canary Islands are in the north easterly trade winds, used by the sailing ships of old to cross the Atlantic.
They are also located within the Canary Current which has a similar pattern to the Trade winds. These two factors help to keep the weather in Fuerteventura cooler in summer. Obviously, another influence in keeping the islands warmer in the winter is the latitude which puts the islands only 80 miles west of the Sahara desert.
Fuerteventura Weather Forecast
The weather in Fuerteventura is much easier to forecast than the UK’s. However, it is amazing how many times the meteorologists can still be wrong. Perhaps one day they will admit that you can’t predict the unpredictable.
For those that believe such things here is an up to date Fuerteventura weather forecast for El Cotillo. It gives the current temperature in Fuerteventura as well as the winds.
Fuerteventura Temperatures
August generally has the hottest temperatures in Fuerteventura with an average daily temperature of 25°C (77°F). The coldest month on average is January with temperatures of 18°C (64°F) with the most daily sunshine hours at 10 in July.
Even in January and February the temperatures in Fuerteventura normally allow for many days on the beach.
Fuerteventura has over 3000 hours of sunshine per year making it the perfect holiday destination all year round and an even better place to live.
| TEMPERATURES | Average Daily Max (°C) | Average Daily Min (°C) | Average Monthly Temp (°C) |
| January | 23.2 | 10.9 | 17.5 |
| February | 24.7 | 11.2 | 17.9 |
| March | 27.0 | 11.8 | 18.6 |
| April | 27.4 | 12.8 | 19.3 |
| May | 28.5 | 14.3 | 20.6 |
| June | 29.4 | 17.0 | 22.2 |
| July | 32.5 | 18.6 | 23.9 |
| August | 32.6 | 19.4 | 24.3 |
| September | 30.5 | 18.0 | 23.8 |
| October | 29.4 | 16.1 | 22.4 |
| November | 28.9 | 13.3 | 20.5 |
| December | 24.6 | 12.0 | 18.5 |
Fuerteventura Winds
The prevailing wind, due to the Trades, is north-easterly. A few times a year it does come from the east or south-east which sometimes brings a Calima. This wind brings with it not only heat from the Sahara Desert but also dust, as can be seen in the satellite photo below.
As I said, it can be windy at times which helps to keep it cooler in summer but, as many believe, Fuerteventura translates in Spanish to strong (fuerte) wind (ventura) which would perhaps be quite apt but actually is incorrect. It actually means strong fortune.
Read my full article Is it always windy in Fuerteventura?
Rain in Fuerteventura
Fuerteventura does receive some rain, usually between October and March, which causes the landscape in the north to become greener than normal.
When Fuerteventura does have rain it tends to last for just a few hours at a time and maybe for a few days in total. Fuerteventura never experiences the days and weeks (or months!) of almost non-stop rain that the UK often gets.
About 10 years ago there was actually no rain for 18 months.
| RAINFALL | Monthly Average (mm) | Average No. Days with rain |
| January | 14.2 | 5.6 |
| February | 8.4 | 3.2 |
| March | 15.1 | 4.3 |
| April | 5.8 | 2.5 |
| May | 0.9 | 1.0 |
| June | 0.1 | 0.2 |
| July | 0 | 0 |
| August | 0 | 0 |
| September | 2.5 | 1.5 |
| October | 11.0 | 2.6 |
| November | 7.7 | 2.7 |
| December | 39.4 | 7.1 |
When we do get rain it is often a downpour. As very little soaks in it forms river-lets which flow across the Campo (countryside) and end up in the sea.
Sea Temperature in Fuerteventura
The Canary Current is relatively cold. This means that water temperatures are slightly cooler than might otherwise be expected at this latitude.
But it is still much warmer than the seas around the UK as the lowest Fuerteventura sea temperature in February is still higher than the sea temperature around the UK in the summer.
| SEA TEMPERATURE | Monthly Average (°C) |
| January | 19 |
| February | 18 |
| March | 19 |
| April | 20 |
| May | 20 |
| June | 21 |
| July | 22 |
| August | 22 |
| September | 23 |
| October | 23 |
| November | 21 |
| December | 20 |
A summary of 20 years of Fuerteventura weather
What is the weather in Fuerteventura in winter like?
I recently made a video and a blog post about what the weather is like here in Fuerteventura. It is one of the main reasons we chose to live here so it is an important topic.
As I always say to people that ask “If you come here in the winter on holiday, you can guarantee that the worst day you have here will be better than the best day back home!”
Read the blog post winter Fuerteventura weather
FAQs
What is the best month to go to Fuerteventura?
The nicest months in Fuerteventura are generally from August to October. During these months the wind tends to be at its calmest and the temperature is high. On the worst day in Fuerteventura during your stay it will still be better than the best day back home.
What is the coldest month in Fuerteventura?
Since Fuerteventura is in the northern hemisphere, so winter occurs at the same time as the rest of Europe, the coldest month is normally January. However it is still has an average daytime temperature of 20.6ºC/69.1ºF and a nighttime low of 14.7ºC/58.5ºF – substantially warmer than northern Europe.
What is the sunniest part of Fuerteventura?
On average the sunniest and warmest part of Fuerteventura is in the south of the island. But since the island is only just over 80km from north to south that difference is normally quite small (temperature difference just 1-2ºC).
Is Fuerteventura hot?
Fuerteventura is quite hot but, fortunately, due to its position in the Atlantic Ocean and the Trade Winds, it is rarely very hot with temperatures in the mid-40ºCs, which it can be in the summer in Mediterranean areas. The hottest month is August with average maximum temperature of 27.8ºC/82.0ºF. Perfect!
Fuerteventura weather in January
Although the middle of winter temperatures are still quite high during the day normally, reaching almost 21ºC/71ºF. There may be the occasional overcast day or two, perhaps with some rain, but it is till likely to be beach weather for at least 4-5 days a week.
Fuerteventura weather in February
Temperatures can reach an average of 21ºC/70ºF in February with 190 days of sunshine. The sea is at its coldest around Fuerteventura in February, but it is still 18ºC, which was warmer than the sea around the UK in the height of summer.
Fuerteventura weather in March
The lowest ever temperature recorded in Fuerteventura was in March 1988 at 8.5ºC/47.5ºF. But that was a freak and was at night too. The normal daytime temperatures in March average 22ºC/72ºF, so perfect for lying on the beach or around the pool.
Fuerteventura weather in April
April is normally a lovely month. Not too hot with maximum daytime temperatures of 23C/74ºF so great for lying on the beach or by a pool. You are unlikely to see any rain and the winds should be fairly light, unless there is a storm or a Calima.
Fuerteventura weather in May
The likelihood of rain in May is almost zero and the temperatures should average 24ºC/75ºC during the day. Perfect beach weather in fact. In the evenings the temperature should be no less than 18ºC/64ºF so a nice temperature to sit outside and enjoy an evening meal and a drink.
Fuerteventura weather in June
June is a lovely month in Fuerteventura with daytime average temperatures of 26ºC/79ºF and with some breeze to make sure you don’t get too hot. Just find a nice place on the beach and relax. The chances of rain are zero so enjoy.
Fuerteventura weather in July
In July the wind is normally at its strongest but the benefit is that it helps to stop you getting too hot, with temperatures reaching 27ºC/81ºF. Just find a sheltered spot on the beach, perhaps in a rock circle, and enjoy the lovely days. Sit outside a bar or restaurant in the evening in just light summer clothes.
Fuerteventura weather in August
August is normally the hottest month of the year with average maximum temperature of around 27.8ºC/82.0ºF and 300 hours of sunshine. Almost zero chance of rain and with a cooling breeze on many days.
Fuerteventura weather in September
September and October are the best months of the year (I think) with warm days and less wind than at other times of the year. The sea is at its warmest at around 23ºC and there is very little chance of any rain at all.
Fuerteventura weather in October
October (and September) are the best months of the year in Fuerteventura (I think) with warm days and less wind than at other times of the year. The sea will be around 23ºC, so perfect for swimming. It may rain very briefly for one or two days.
Fuerteventura weather in November
Lots of sunshine in November with temperatures still reaching 24ºC/75ºF. There may perhaps be two days in the month with rain. The sea temperature is still around 21ºC (so much warmer than the air in the UK and perfect for swimming).
Fuerteventura weather in December
According to the statistics December is the wettest month of the year, but to put that into perspective, it still only averages 3.2 days with rain (and it never rains all day). The temperature reaches 22ºC/72ºF during the day so plenty of time to sunbathe. Even at night the temperature only falls to an average of 16ºC/61ºF.
