Calima and sunshine return to the Canary Islands this weekend

Calima, sunshine and rising temperatures will shape the weather across much of the Canary Islands this weekend, although conditions will vary considerably between the islands.

The biggest change today will be in the eastern islands (Lanzarote and Fuerteventura), where Saharan dust will return and give the sky a hazier appearance.

Tenerife and Gran Canaria will start with more cloud across their northern areas before brighter conditions develop, while Lanzarote and Fuerteventura can expect considerably more sunshine.

Temperatures will also begin to rise, particularly across inland and southern areas, before becoming hotter in places on Sunday.

Trade winds will continue around the coasts, becoming stronger in some of the usual exposed areas, although generally easing compared with the stronger winds experienced during the last few days.

There are currently no AEMET weather warnings in force for today.

Tenerife

Northern and north-eastern Tenerife will start Saturday with plenty of low cloud, particularly during the morning.

The cloud should gradually break during the day, while southern and western areas will enjoy considerably more sunshine.

Some light calima is also expected, particularly away from the cloudier north.

Temperatures will generally range between around 23°C and 29°C, depending on location and altitude.

The trade wind will continue around the island, becoming stronger in some exposed areas, while the south-west will remain more sheltered.

Temperatures are expected to rise further on Sunday, with southern Tenerife potentially reaching around 30°C.

Gran Canaria

Gran Canaria will also begin with low cloud across the north, but this should reduce as the morning progresses.

Southern parts of the island will be much sunnier and warmer.

Temperatures are expected to exceed 30°C across some higher inland areas of southern Gran Canaria, while Las Palmas de Gran Canaria will be considerably cooler at around 23°C to 27°C.

The north-easterly wind will remain noticeable around exposed eastern and western areas, while the south-west will be more sheltered.

Temperatures could climb further on Sunday, with parts of southern Gran Canaria potentially reaching around 33°C.

Lanzarote

Lanzarote will have some cloud around the north-west during the morning, but this should quickly give way to long sunny spells.

The main feature will be the return of light calima, with Saharan dust suspended in the atmosphere giving the sky a hazier appearance.

Temperatures will remain warm, with values around 23°C to 29°C and close to 30°C in some areas.

The north-easterly wind will continue around the coast, while winds across the interior will increasingly come from the east or south-east.

The calima is expected to remain into Sunday.

Fuerteventura

Fuerteventura should have one of the sunniest days of the four main islands.

Little significant cloud is expected, although sunshine will be filtered by calima as Saharan dust moves across the eastern Canary Islands.

The wind will ease compared with recent days but will still be noticeable in exposed areas.

Puerto del Rosario is expected to reach around 27°C, with temperatures approaching 30°C elsewhere.

It will become warmer on Sunday, particularly across southern Fuerteventura, where temperatures could reach around 31°C.

What about the sea?

Sea conditions are also improving after the rougher conditions experienced over the last few days.

There will still be moderate to rough seas around some exposed northern and eastern coasts today, with a north or north-westerly swell generally between one and two metres.

Tenerife and Gran Canaria will continue to experience stronger winds offshore in some exposed areas, while Lanzarote and Fuerteventura can expect the north-easterly wind to gradually ease.

AEMET currently has no coastal weather warnings in force for the Canary Islands, and no warning-level sea conditions are expected going into Sunday.