The Canary Islands are preparing for an exceptionally hot summer, with forecasts indicating temperature anomalies significantly above the seasonal average. Last year, the archipelago experienced its hottest summer on record.
Eltiempo.es reports that June, July, and August are expected to bring higher-than-normal temperatures June is anticipated to have slightly above-average temperatures, and the summer will also see increased rainfall, despite June typically being a stormy month.
Last year, the Canary Islands experienced their hottest summer since records began in 1961 with temperatures reaching up to 46.2°C, which led to the deaths of 81 people linked to heat related symptoms.
The islands recorded 200 temperature records across various weather stations, including 71 for the highest monthly average temperature, 63 for the highest average maximum temperatures, 76 for the highest average minimum temperatures, and 28 for the highest absolute maximum temperatures.
The average temperature last summer was 24.5 °C, 1.8 degrees higher than usual. The islands experienced two hot spells in June and July, followed by two heat waves in August, making it the hottest August on record for the Canary Islands.
The heat was most intense in Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, and Fuerteventura, with temperature anomalies of +1.8 degrees Celsius. Meanwhile, Tenerife, La Gomera, El Hierro, and La Palma experienced a slightly lower anomaly of +1.4 degrees Celsius. Neither province set new record highs.
The islands experienced numerous “tropical” nights throughout the summer, where temperatures didn’t fall below 20°C. Additionally, 10% of weather stations recorded “hellish” nights, with temperatures not dropping below 30°C.
Rainfall was significantly above average, making it the second wettest summer on record for the Canary Islands. Storm Oscar in June contributed nearly 17 litres per square metre, five times the expected amount for the month. July saw normal rainfall levels, while August was 24% wetter than usual, resulting in an average of 20.3 litres per square metre over the entire summer, nearly four times the usual amount (+276%).
