canary islands

Canary Islands: yellow and orange alerts activated for elevated temperatures and haze

Canary Islands: temperatures are expected to reach up to 42ºC on Friday in the high areas, eastern, southern, and western regions of Gran Canaria. In addition, the southern slopes, eastern areas, and metropolitan region of Tenerife could experience temperatures of 38ºC, while the peaks and western parts of La Palma might see temperatures of 34ºC.

The influx of African air, beginning its influence on the Canary Islands today, is resulting in a widespread temperature surge. This phenomenon, expected to persist for several days, at least until Saturday the 12th, prompted the State Meteorological Agency (Aemet) to issue yellow and orange warnings yesterday due to the potential for temperatures reaching 40 degrees Celsius in certain areas.


Starting from tomorrow, Thursday, a period of elevated temperatures is anticipated. Friday the 11th and Saturday the 12th are likely to be the peak days of this temperature episode. Aemet also clarifies that it is too early to ascertain whether this will develop into a heatwave.

Precisely on Friday, maximum temperatures are projected to ascend to 42 degrees Celsius across different points of the highlands, eastern, southern, and western regions of Gran Canaria. The southern slopes, eastern sectors, and metropolitan area of Tenerife are expected to reach 38 degrees Celsius, while inland areas facing south in Fuerteventura might experience temperatures of up to 40 degrees Celsius. Lanzarote is expected to reach a maximum of 36 degrees Celsius, and various points in La Palma may exceed 34 degrees Celsius. El Hierro and La Gomera are set to be around 30 degrees Celsius, surpassing this mark in some places.

Consequently, the Canary Islands Government’s Ministry of Health has issued red warnings for high temperatures in several municipalities across the islands.

Presently, the warnings issued by the State Meteorological Agency (Aemet) for the Canary Islands only extend to Thursday the 10th, but they could potentially be extended to the subsequent days, considering that Friday the 11th and Saturday the 12th are anticipated to be the hottest days of this period.

The warnings are outlined as follows: In Gran Canaria, orange warnings have been issued for maximum temperatures of 38 degrees Celsius in the highlands, eastern, southern, and western parts of the island. The possibility of temperatures exceeding 34 degrees Celsius in high areas on the northern slopes is not ruled out. Yellow warnings have also been declared for suspended dust in the highlands, eastern, southern, and western regions of the island. This will lead to visibility being reduced by 3,000 meters, primarily affecting high areas.

In the other islands of the eastern province, which are the first to experience the influence of the warm sub-Saharan air mass, yellow warnings have been announced for the entire territories of Fuerteventura, Lanzarote, and La Graciosa due to suspended dust, which will cause a visibility reduction of 3,000 meters, primarily impacting elevated areas.

In the province of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, yellow warnings are in effect for tomorrow, Thursday. For Tenerife, these warnings encompass the metropolitan area and the eastern, southern, and western sections of the island, with maximum temperatures predicted to reach 36 degrees Celsius. The heat will affect the western slopes, eastern sectors, southern and western midlands, the southern portion of the metropolitan area, and the Anaga massif.

Simultaneously, a yellow warning has been declared in La Palma for maximum temperatures of 36ºC on the peaks and in the western part of the island, particularly in the El Paso area and on the western slopes.

Lastly, the islands of La Gomera and El Hierro also have yellow warnings for maximum temperatures of 36 degrees Celsius, affecting the southern areas of both islands.

TODAY’S WEATHER FORECAST FOR THE CANARY ISLANDS

Today’s forecast indicates partly cloudy skies, except for possible intervals forming on the northern coasts of the mountainous islands and the western regions of Lanzarote and Fuerteventura.

The presence of high-altitude haze is expected to spread throughout the day, with the highest concentrations in the eastern islands.

Minimum temperatures are predicted to remain relatively stable, with a slight increase in the central islands, particularly pronounced at higher elevations. Maximum temperatures are expected to experience slight increases, aside from moderate rises in the central peaks of Tenerife and the south-facing midlands of Gran Canaria, where temperatures will surpass 32ºC. A moderate north-easterly wind will intensify in the afternoon on the northwestern and southeastern slopes of the mountainous islands, while strong southern winds will affect the summits of Tenerife.


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