Playa Pariaso is a popular purpose-built resort nestled into a bay on the south west coast of Tenerife in the Canary Islands enjoying comfortable spring-like temperatures and sunshine all year round.
With its large saltwater Lido on the beachfront, views out across the crystal waters of the Atlantic and a rocky shoreline which makes the resort a snorkeler's paradise, this is a very popular spot with tourists who come for the sunshine and dry weather that the south west of Tenerife promises.
Just 100km north of the African continent, much of the resort's weather is influenced by the dry, warm trade winds coming from its nearest neighbour giving it a pleasant sub-tropical climate. Although rainfall can vary around the island, the south west coast tends to be the driest region with no rainfall at all during the summer months of June and July and much less than its neighbours further south, like the popular Playa de las Américas.
The resorts on the south west of the island also tend to be warmer than the resorts found on the north of the island with summer highs of 27ºC (81ºF) compared to 23ºC (73ºF) in the northern capital Puerto de la Cruz.
Despite remaining fairly consistently warm throughout the year with average temperatures ranging from 18ºC (64ºF) to 24ºC (75ºF), the climate is divided into two seasons, summer and winter with temperatures reaching the twenties from May through to November. The hottest months in the resort are August and September, the coldest January and February.
The resort, like the rest of the island is prone to the Calima and Sirocco winds that blow up off the Sahara usually in the form of a warm dry wind. Sometimes, particularly between October and November and February and March, these can be strong and carry with them dust from the African continent.
Summer
From June to September sees temperatures averaging a comfortably hot 23ºC (73ºF) with highs, particularly in August and September, reaching a scorching 27ºC (81ºF) and night temperatures of between 18ºC (64ºF) and 21ºC (70ºF). The winds at this time of year do not tend to be too heavy and produce a lovely cooling breeze for those lying in the sun on the beaches.
Many people come to the resort to try the extensive range of water sports on offer and the area is very popular with snorkelers and scuba divers as the rocky waters provide the perfect habitat for a wide range of marine species. At this time of year water temperatures are at their warmest with temperatures ranging from 22ºC (72ºF) in June to 24ºC (75ºF) in September. Rain is not a problem for summer visitors with rainfall practically unheard of in June and July and only 3mm falling in both August and September. Visitors are, in fact, far more likely to enjoy long days of uninterrupted sunshine with an average of 12 sunshine hours across the summer months.
Autumn
The traditional 'autumn' months of Northern Europe don't see much change of temperatures here with highs of 24ºC (75ºF) still likely in November, although rainfall does begin to increase from October onwards from 9mm to 20mm in November. The weather remains much warmer than most of Europe at this time of year including that of southern Spain.
The evenings remain warm here throughout the autumn months with average low temperatures staying at between 19ºC (66ºF) in October and 18ºC (64ºF) in November. Those looking to enjoy a beach holiday at this time of year will enjoy some of the warmest sea temperatures of the year at 24ºC (75ºF) in October dropping to a still comfortable 22ºC (72ºF) in November and long sunshine hours of between 10 and 11 hours. The winds which travel up from the Sahara can be strong at this time of year and may bring storms and dust with them.
Winter
From December to February temperatures do tend to drop off a little, although they remain warm compared to most of Europe, with an average of between 18ºC (64ºF) and 19ºC (66ºF). Despite this, highs at this time of year can still reach a respectable 22ºC (72ºF) in December dropping down to 21ºC (70ºF) in the following months. Evenings and night-time temperatures are likely to fall, however, with average lows of 14ºC (57ºF) not uncommon so it's advisable to pack some warmer layers if you're visiting at this time of year.
Rain is at its highest in December with an average of 35mm falling across 6 days and visitors at this time of year having a 17% chance of experiencing a rainy day. If however you do find yourself enjoying some winter sunshine then take the opportunity to try out some water sports as the sea temperatures remain relatively warm at between 19ºC (66ºF) and 21ºC (70ºF). Sunshine hours also remain long with 7 hours in December rising to 9 hours in January and February.
Spring
The temperatures in the resort begin to climb again as the sunshine hours rise from 10 to 11 across the season. Average temperatures at this time of year are between 19ºC (66ºF) and 20ºC (68ºF) but highs of 22ºC (72ºF) and 23ºC (73ºF) are not uncommon and sea temperatures are a warm 19ºC (66ºF) or 20ºC (68ºF). Although rainfall levels in the resort in March fall to just 15mm over 5 days and 3mm in May, there is a spike of in April when rainfall rises to 22mm over 4 days. February and March are the months most likely to see dust storms carried up from the Sahara on the Calima and Sirocco winds so it's a good idea to keep an eye on the weather forecast just in case.
Weather Hazards
Although the weather here is famously good with plenty of year-round sunshine and warm sea temperatures there is always the chance of a thunder storm blowing in off the Atlantic or a dust storm brought in on the warm winds which blow off the nearby Sahara. The most famous of these Saharan winds are called the Calima and Sirocco and, while they can occur throughout the year, they are at their strongest from October to November and February to March. When these dust storms occur they can limit visibility and can even cause respiratory problems to those suffering with asthma.