Temperatures in the Canary Islands have begun to decline following the extended heatwave that gripped the archipelago. Maximum temperatures, which had soared close to 40ºC in mid-October, have now returned to more seasonally appropriate levels.
Yesterday, the highest temperatures on the islands were recorded in La Dama (Vallehermoso), Tasarte, and La Aldea, reaching 29.9ºC. In comparison, the Anaga station (Santa Cruz) reported 28.9ºC, and Adeje recorded 28.7ºC. While these temperatures are still warm, they are notably lower than the scorching conditions experienced earlier. On Tuesday, Tasarte had registered 32ºC, the highest temperature in the country, while Anaga reached 30.6ºC (the seventh-highest), and Adeje recorded 30.4ºC (the ninth-highest). During this time, intermittent clouds brought weak and scattered showers.
According to forecasts from the State Meteorological Agency (Aemet), temperatures will continue to decrease over the coming days, with coastal areas expected to reach between 25 and 27ºC. There is a possibility of rain on the more mountainous islands today, with rain expected to become more widespread throughout the archipelago from tomorrow onwards due to the arrival of squall Aline.
Meanwhile, the Peninsula continues to be under the influence of low-pressure systems. Babette, which passed through last Tuesday, left over 100 litres per square metre of rain in several areas. Its trailing effects caused some light drizzle in parts of the Canary Islands. Today, squall Aline is expected to reach the Peninsula, bringing abundant and widespread rain, strong winds, and stormy seas. This weather system may also affect the archipelago.
All autonomous communities in mainland Spain, except the Basque Country, the Canary Islands, and the city of Melilla, are at risk of experiencing significant rainfall (yellow) or extreme risk (orange), with the potential for torrential rain, high winds, and coastal phenomena, as per Aemet’s warnings.
Aemet’s spokesperson, Rubén del Campo, noted that Babette brought 107 litres per square metre of rain in 12 hours in Puerto del Pico (Ávila) and 79 litres per square metre in 12 hours in La Covatilla (Salamanca). Although the rainfall was concentrated in the western third of the peninsula, it had a notable impact.
Additionally, during the early hours of yesterday, rain continued in the Central System and the Cantabrian Mountains, accompanied by very strong wind gusts, including hurricane-force winds exceeding 120 kilometres per hour in parts of the Sierra Nevada and the Cantabrian Mountains. Unstable weather conditions persisted throughout the day, with rain and winds affecting northern and western regions of the Peninsula.
The Aemet anticipates that today a “small yet deep squall will form off Portugal, complicating the weather conditions on the Peninsula.” This system, named Aline, will bring widespread and abundant rain, strong gusts of wind, and rough seas. Aline marks the first time a squall has been officially named by meteorological services in southwest Europe, specifically by the Portuguese Meteorological Service. This naming group also includes Spain, France, Belgium, and Luxembourg.
While Aline is expected to pass quickly, it will leave behind some heavy rain, strong winds, and rough seas on the following day. Over the weekend, rainfall is predicted to be limited to the far north and west of the Peninsula, but temperatures will remain cooler, barely exceeding 20ºC as of today. Aline will result in locally heavy and persistent rainfall in the central, southern, and northwestern regions of the Peninsula.
