Yesterday, the Canaries experienced oppressive heat, with Gran Canaria being the most severely affected. Tasarte in Aldea de San Nicolás reached a scorching 44.8 degrees Celsius, making it the hottest location in Spain at 3:30 pm. Maspalomas recorded 43.3 degrees Celsius, followed by Agüímes with 42.1 degrees Celsius, according to the State Meteorological Agency (Aemet).
In Tenerife, the southern part of the island faced intense heat, with temperatures surpassing 40 degrees Celsius in the midlands of Adeje and Guía de Isora. The metropolitan area and the Anaga massif also experienced sweltering conditions, causing discomfort for residents and visitors alike.
HEATWAVE IN THE CANARIES: SLIGHT IMPROVEMENT
The Directorate General for Security and Emergencies of the Canary Islands Government announced a downgrade from “maximum alert” to “alert” for Gran Canaria, which will be in effect from 11 am today, along with Tenerife. Although temperatures will slightly decrease, the midlands of both capital islands can still reach 37 degrees Celsius, particularly in the western, southern, and southeastern regions.
In the midlands and high areas of El Hierro, La Gomera, and La Palma, as well as the inland areas facing south in Lanzarote and Fuerteventura, temperatures between 34 and 36 degrees Celsius are expected. These islands will shift to a “pre-alert” situation, one level below the current warnings.
The heatwave, which has also caused nighttime temperatures to exceed 30 degrees Celsius, will bid farewell to the archipelago tomorrow as temperatures begin to decrease. The drop in temperatures will be most noticeable in the midlands and high areas of the mountainous islands. However, inland areas in the south of Gran Canaria will still experience temperatures above 32 degrees Celsius.
Simultaneously, winds are expected to intensify. Yesterday, gusts of up to 80 kilometers per hour were recorded at the South airport in Tenerife, leading to flight diversions due to wind shear, a sudden change in wind direction or speed on the runway. Pájara in Fuerteventura recorded gusts of up to 161 kilometers per hour at 2:50 pm. Today, strong gusts of wind are forecasted, primarily affecting the southeast and northwest slopes of the western islands.
THE MOUNTAINS
Given the extreme weather conditions of high temperatures, strong winds, and low humidity, the mountains remain on “high alert.” Fortunately, swift action from the firefighting teams of The Island Council of Tenerife prevented potential incidents. Two scares occurred—one in an area of orchards in the La Escalona neighborhood (Vilaflor de Chasna) and another near the Centro Hogar Escuela de La Esperanza in the municipality of El Rosario.
The Island Council of Tenerife continues to urge the population to exercise extreme caution and avoid actions that could trigger a forest fire. Citizen cooperation is crucial to prevent tragedies and protect the natural environment.
Today, it is vital to remain vigilant to avoid health problems, especially among the most vulnerable individuals. It is advised to stay in cool places as much as possible and stay hydrated.
