The Canary Islands are experiencing unusual weather at the moment for the time of year, with intense heat and light haze (calima) leaving record-high temperatures this weekend for November.
According to the State Meteorological Agency (AEMET), temperatures peaked at an extraordinary 35.7°C La Aldea de San Nicolás on Saturday, a new record, followed closely by Arucas (34.8°C), Arico (34.5°C), La Graciosa (33.4°C), and Anaga (33.3°C).
Even the daily lows stayed above 20°C in most areas. In Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, temperatures hit 30°C, while the southeastern and southern regions reported 31–32°C.
Yesterday (Sunday) high temperatures persisted across the islands with 34.5°C in La Aldea de San Nicolás at 1:10pm. Similar highs were recorded in Mogán (33.5°C at 1:00pm), Tenerife South Airport (33.4°C at 12:20pm), and Arico (33.3°C at 12:30pm).
AEMET Forecasts Relief on the Horizon
The widespread impact of the heat and calima is evident across all islands. However, AEMET predicts some relief today, Monday, with the haze expected to gradually diminish and temperatures to moderately decrease.
Skies are forecasted to remain mostly clear or partly cloudy today, with intervals of clouds developing over the northern slopes of the islands later in the day. Winds will be moderate, predominantly from the northeast.
The unusual November heatwave with such extreme temperatures are more typical of summer than late autumn. Meteorologists attribute the phenomenon to a combination of warm air masses and Saharan dust carried by easterly winds, a characteristic feature of the calima.
