March has been warmer than average this year with Saharan high pressure dominating since late February. Full conditions breakdown by region plus a two-week outlook.
This March has been one of the warmer ones in recent memory across Tenerife. A persistent Saharan high pressure system that established itself in late February has kept skies clear and temperatures above seasonal averages across much of the island, particularly in the south.
Current Conditions: Mid-March 2026
South Tenerife (Playa de las Américas, Los Cristianos, Costa Adeje)
The southern resorts are currently enjoying near-summer conditions. The daytime temperature has been hitting 25–26°C consistently over the past week, roughly 3–4 degrees above the long-term March average.
- Daytime high: 25–26°C (average: 21–22°C)
- Overnight low: 16–18°C
- UV Index: 6–7 (high - SPF 30 minimum)
- Wind: Light easterly, 10–15 km/h
- Sea temperature: 19°C (warming towards 20°C by end of March)
- Conditions: Sunny, with very occasional thin high cloud
The beach at Playa de las Vistas has been busy from mid-morning, with visitors and residents alike taking advantage of conditions that wouldn't look out of place in June. Water temperature is still on the fresh side at 19°C but swimmable, and improving daily.
North Tenerife (Puerto de la Cruz, Santa Cruz, La Laguna)
The north has also benefited from the high pressure, though its usual cloud layer makes things more variable. Morning cloud has been heavier than usual this week due to a light northerly airflow.
- Daytime high: 20–22°C
- Overnight low: 13–15°C
- Conditions: Morning cloud clearing by midday on most days
- Occasional light showers overnight, particularly above 400 metres
Puerto de la Cruz has been pleasant by mid-afternoon once the morning cloud burns off - the botanical gardens and Lago Martiánez have been particularly busy with day visitors.
Mount Teide and Las Cañadas
Clear and cold above the cloud layer. Summit temperatures have been running at -2 to +4°C during the day. The road to Teide has been open all week. The recent settled spell has made for exceptional visibility from the summit - on clear days you can see Gran Canaria, La Palma, La Gomera, El Hierro, and La Graciosa simultaneously.
Snow remains on the north-facing slopes above 2,500 metres from February's storm.
Two-Week Outlook
The settled spell looks set to continue for the next 10 days at least, with the Saharan high maintaining its position to the east and northeast of the island.
Potential disruption - Calima: Models are suggesting a possible calima event in the final week of March as the high begins to break down. Calima events bring Saharan dust from the African continent on southeasterly or southerly winds. During a calima, temperatures spike, skies turn hazy orange, air quality drops, and everything gets coated in a fine red dust. They typically last 1–3 days.
If you're visiting late March, keep an eye on forecasts. Calima doesn't ruin a holiday but it's worth knowing about - air quality can be poor enough to affect those with breathing difficulties, and the UV through a calima haze can be unexpectedly intense.
Beyond the potential calima, the models suggest a return to the standard trade wind pattern in early April with sunshine in the south and cloud in the north.
Is This Normal for March?
No, it's above average. Typical March weather in the south sits at 21–22°C with more cloud and the occasional shower. What we're experiencing now is more consistent with late April conditions. The Saharan high has been unusually persistent this year.
For context, the warmest March on record for the south was 2022, when temperatures reached 30°C during a sustained calima event in the third week of March. We're not in that territory, but this is a warmer-than-typical month.
Travel Note
March is an excellent time to visit Tenerife regardless of whether this exceptional warmth continues. Prices have risen slightly from February lows but are well below the Easter peak. Book accommodation soon if you're considering late March - the Easter holiday period begins in the third week of April and prices rise sharply from then.