04/06/2026
🌬️ What is the Foehn effect?
Surely you've ever seen how a mountain can have a green, wet and cloudy slope, while on the other side the weather is much drier and sunnier. This is due to the well-known Foehn effect.
⛰️ When a mass of moist air meets a mountain, it's forced to climb. During the climb, the air cools, water v***r condenses and clouds, fog or precipitation forms in the gale.
☁️💧 Once the air has discharged much of its moisture and surpasses the summit, it begins to descend down the windshield. As you descend, the air compresses and heats quickly, becoming drier and more stable.
☀️ The result is a stark contrast:
🔹 Barlovento → more clouds, moisture and rain.
🔹 Windshield → warmer, drier and clearer environment.
🌴 In the Canary Islands this phenomenon is very common with smooth winds. Thanks to the Foehn effect, medians and northern slopes tend to receive abundant moisture, while many areas to the south enjoy clear skies and higher temperatures.
📊 This process is also behind phenomena as characteristic as the sea of clouds, one of the most spectacular atmospheric landscapes of the archipelago.
➡️ In the Canary Islands we have very clear examples in summer: in the northeast of Tenerife very humid environment with drizzles in addition to cool or cold temperatures. On the other hand, in the Güímar Valley, more than 30°C maximum with differences of 15°C from one slope to another. Also happens between East and West Palmero.
