The Canary Islands are bracing for unusually high temperatures today, Friday, with highs potentially soaring to 30°C, particularly across the eastern islands (Lanzarote and Fuerteventura) and Tenerife. The State Meteorological Agency (AEMET) has issued a weather forecast highlighting the presence of calima, a haze of dust and sand particles, that is more pronounced in the eastern regions.
Expect abundant medium and high cloud cover with occasional low clouds during the early morning hours along the northern coastlines of the mountainous islands. The calima will be most noticeable in the eastern islands, contributing to the high temperatures.
Temperature Forecast:
- Maximum Temperatures: Moderately increasing, with local areas in the western lowlands of the central islands, as well as Lanzarote and Fuerteventura, potentially exceeding 30°C.
- Minimum Temperatures: Slightly rising across the region.
Wind Conditions:
- Coastal Areas: Light northeast winds shifting to the east in the afternoon.
- Inland Areas: Moderate southern winds, intensifying in mountainous regions with occasional gusts during midday on the leeward slopes.
Sea Conditions:
- Winds: Northern or northeastern components at force 3 or 4, increasing to force 4 or 5 further offshore in the west and southeast. Conditions will ease to variable 2 to 4 in the morning, with temporary rough seas further offshore.
- Wave Heights: Background northwest swell around 1 metre, increasing to 1-2 metres further out to sea.
Today’s forecast for each of the islands:
LANZAROTE
- Conditions: Abundant medium and high clouds with occasional low clouds along the northern coast during the early morning. Possibility of fog in the early hours of the day. Calima present.
- Winds: Light northeast breezes along the coast, shifting to southeast inland with occasional gusts in the northwest during midday.
- Temperatures: Maximums may reach up to 31°C locally in inland areas. Minimums remain stable or see a slight increase at around 20°C.
FUERTEVENTURA
- Conditions: Similar cloud patterns to Lanzarote with calima. Early morning fog possible.
- Winds: Light northeast coastal breezes, shifting to moderate southern inland winds with occasional western gusts midday.
- Temperatures: Maximums could locally reach 30°C in northern inland areas. Minimums show a slight rise to 20°C.
GRAN CANARIA
- Conditions: Abundant medium and high clouds with occasional low clouds along the northern coast early morning. Light Calima.
- Winds: Light northeast winds shifting to east in the afternoon, with moderate southern winds in the mountains and occasional gusts.
- Temperatures: Maximums moderately increasing, potentially reaching 31°C in western lowland areas. Minimums remain mostly unchanged with slight increases inland to 22°C.
TENERIFE
- Conditions: Abundant medium and high clouds with occasional low clouds along the northern and southwestern coasts during the early morning. Light calima.
- Winds: Light northeast breezes shifting to east in the afternoon, with moderate southern winds inland, intensifying in mountainous areas with occasional strong gusts in the morning.
- Temperatures: Maximums may reach 30°C locally in southwestern lowland areas. Minimums remain stable at 21°C.
The public are advised to take precautions against the high temperatures and calima, such as staying hydrated, avoiding prolonged exposure to the sun, and monitoring local weather updates for any changes.
