The Ministry of Health of the Canary Islands Government has extended the orange and yellow risk alerts for high temperatures on the islands of Gran Canaria, Tenerife, Lanzarote, and La Gomera to eight municipalities until this Sunday. The affected local authorities include Ingenio, Agüimes, Valsequillo, Mogán, San Bartolomé de Tirajana, and Santa Lucía de Tirajana in Gran Canaria, as well as Santa Cruz de Tenerife and San Sebastián de La Gomera.
Administered directly by the Directorate General for Public Health, these alerts will be reviewed in line with the updated forecasts from the State Meteorological Agency (AEMET) and the Preventive Actions Plan for Health Effects due to Excess Temperatures in the Canary Islands. To mitigate their impact on the populace and coordinate the involved institutions (healthcare and emergency centers, along with local councils), an orange alert, indicating a moderate health risk level, has been issued for Gran Canaria until August 27th, encompassing the municipalities of Mogán, San Bartolomé de Tirajana, and Santa Lucía de Tirajana. In addition, Ingenio, Agüimes, and Valsequillo are placed under a yellow alert, signifying a low risk level, until this Saturday.
Tenerife, Lanzarote, and La Gomera maintain their existing low classification determined by the Ministry of Health, based on categorical criteria such as forecasted maximum temperatures, established thresholds, duration (at least three days), and risk factors specific to each region. Santa Cruz de Tenerife retains its yellow alert level until today, as do San Bartolomé (Lanzarote) and San Sebastián de La Gomera, with Arrecife’s alert extending until yesterday.
Given the heightened vulnerability of certain groups, particularly those aged over 65, infants, pregnant individuals, or those with preexisting conditions, the local authorities have issued a set of recommendations. These include seeking cool environments, staying in the shade or air-conditioned spaces as much as possible, keeping hydrated, reducing physical activity, and avoiding outdoor sports during peak heat hours.
For today in the Canary Islands, there will be intervals of clouds in the north, and in the mountainous areas, evolving clouds without ruling out isolated showers or thunderstorms. In fact, there were light rain showers in some places on Friday. The maximum temperatures will reach 34°C on the summits of Gran Canaria and Tenerife, as well as in the southern interiors of La Gomera, Fuerteventura, and Lanzarote.
