After the recent heatwave, temperatures in the Canary Islands are finally starting to drop, and the likelihood of rain becoming more frequent is on the horizon. The State Meteorological Agency (AEMET) has provided insights into the evolving weather patterns that are expected to impact various regions of Spain.
In the case of the Canary Islands, AEMET anticipates that the trailing ends of the approaching weather fronts may affect the region, resulting in rainfall over the weekend. This precipitation is expected to be particularly concentrated on the islands with higher relief, where heavier rainfall is likely.
On Friday, rainfall is expected to be particularly intense or prolonged in areas such as Galicia, the Cantabrian region, the Pyrenees, Catalonia, and the Balearic Islands. In contrast, the rains are expected to be lighter and more scattered in the high plateaus and Andalusia.
As we move into Saturday, the weather conditions will remain conducive to rain in Galicia, with the possibility of less intense showers in the Cantabrian area and the mountainous regions of the Peninsula.
However, Sunday brings the arrival of a new weather front from the southwest of the Peninsula, leading to precipitation primarily along the Atlantic slope and in the Mediterranean region of Andalusia. On this day, there’s also the potential for locally heavy or persistent showers, with occasional thunderstorms possible in the west of Extremadura, Andalusia, and the central part of the country. While less likely, these conditions could also extend to other areas, such as the peninsular Mediterranean slope and the Cantabrian region.
RAINFALL IN THE CANARY ISLANDS
Regarding the Canary Islands, AEMET suggests that they may experience rainfall, especially on the islands with higher elevations, over the weekend due to the influence of the trailing ends of the approaching weather fronts.
These wet conditions are expected to coincide with a significant drop in temperatures on both Friday and Saturday across Spain. However, a slight temperature increase is anticipated on Sunday.
In terms of wind patterns, Friday is expected to bring strong westward gusts in northern Galicia, the Cantabrian region, the eastern third of the Peninsula, and the Balearic Islands. By Sunday, the wind direction will shift to the south in the southwest quadrant of the Peninsula, while westerly winds are expected in the Canary Islands, with some instances of stronger winds on Saturday.
Looking ahead to the following week, from October 23 to 29, AEMET foresees the arrival of another weather front that will traverse the Peninsula on Monday, resulting in widespread precipitation, with greater intensity in the western half and the Pyrenees. There’s a chance of locally heavy or persistent rainfall in the north of Aragon, the western central region, and the area around the Strait of Gibraltar.
The rest of the week, though with some uncertainty, will be characterized by prevailing westerly winds bringing precipitation, albeit of lower intensity than in previous days. This precipitation will primarily concentrate in the Atlantic and Cantabrian regions, as well as in the Pyrenees, without ruling out its presence in the Ebro valley, the northeast, and the Balearic Islands.
Temperature-wise, Monday and Tuesday will see a drop, followed by a rise on Wednesday and Thursday, before falling again from Friday onward.
In terms of winds, westerly winds are expected to dominate the Peninsula and the Balearic Islands throughout the coming week, with more pronounced intensity in the north of Galicia, the Cantabrian region, the eastern third of the Peninsula, and the Balearic Islands.
In the Canary Islands, occasional weak rainfall is forecast in the north of the islands throughout the week. Temperatures will decline on Monday and Tuesday, with a gradual increase from Wednesday onward, resulting in the establishment of moderate trade winds.
