Weather in Tarifa

What shapes Tarifa's weather

Tarifa lies at the tip of the Strait of Gibraltar, open to the Atlantic and the Mediterranean. It is one of the windiest weather stations in Spain. Two winds take turns: the easterly Levante and the westerly Poniente.

Temperatures vary little. On average there are only about 4 degrees between day and night all year round, and even in January the average low does not fall below 10 °C. Relative humidity is between 77 and 81 % in every month.

Climate through the year

The figures in the table are averages for Tarifa over the years 1981-2010. Highs and lows are the month's average daily values, and rain days are days with at least 1 mm of precipitation.

This is what the months look like on long-term average:

August is the warmest month, with a monthly average of 22.3 °C, and January and February are the coolest, at 13.0 °C each. From June to September it hardly rains, with an average of 0.4 rain days each in July and August. Most rain falls from October to February, with 70 mm or more in each of these months. December is the wettest, with 118 mm on about ten days.

Levante and Poniente

The Levante blows from the east, more precisely from east-north-east to east-south-east, mainly in spring and summer. It is very steady and can last for several days. On average it reaches about 25 knots, around 50 km/h, with gusts of more than 90 km/h. It brings warm, humid air and poor visibility.

The Poniente comes from the west, between west-north-west and west-south-west, and is particularly strong in autumn and winter. It brings fresh Atlantic air and good visibility.

The wind has made Tarifa a destination for kitesurfing and windsurfing. Independent kiting is only allowed in the designated, signposted zones.

Bathing season and sea temperature

Under the beach bylaw, the bathing season on Tarifa's beaches runs from 15 June to 15 September. In July and August all services are staffed, including lifeguards. In the second half of June and the first half of September, lifeguards are only on duty at weekends.

The water is coolest in February and March and warmest in August. Older averages range from 14.6 °C in February to 21.7 °C in August, and from June to October they are above 19 °C. On 31 August 2024, the buoy off Tarifa recorded a record 26.1 °C.

Fire and wildfire prevention

From 1 June to 15 October, a complete ban on fires applies in Andalusia in woodland and the surrounding areas. It covers campfires, barbecues and burning in fields and woodland, and also applies at official camping sites and recreation areas. During the same period, driving motor vehicles off-road is banned there.

Until 31 October there follows a period of medium wildfire risk, when burning in and around woodland needs prior permission. The Junta de Andalucía, the regional government, explains the rules in detail under its Plan INFOCA.

Forecast and warnings

The forecast for the coming days is for the town of Tarifa. Official weather warnings are issued by Spain's state weather service, AEMET.

More on the kite spots is under Kitesurfing, and on places to swim and flags under Beaches. Trips to see whales and dolphins start from the port, and choosing where to stay mainly depends on whether you want to be in the old town or on the beach.