The Portuguese Institute of the Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA) is closely monitoring the development of the Hipolito squall, a weather condition that is poised to impact both the Azores and the Canary Islands in the coming days. According to eltiempo.es, the Canary Islands should prepare for the arrival of rain, strong winds, and calima conditions in the near future.
The presence of the Hipolito squall coincides with the existence of cutoff low affecting most of the Iberian Peninsula, with some regions in Catalonia and the Balearic Islands expecting locally heavy rainfall, as reported by the State Meteorological Agency (Aemet).
So, how will Hipolito squall affect the Canary Islands? Starting today, a shift in wind direction is anticipated, with winds beginning to blow from the east and southeast across the archipelago. On Thursday, especially strong gusts are expected in the high mountainous areas of Tenerife and La Palma. While less likely, similar conditions may occur on the peaks and slopes of La Gomera and El Hierro, as well as on the northern slopes of the Anaga massif.
As we move into Friday and Saturday, the weather front associated with Hipolito squall is predicted to approach the Canary Islands, albeit with reduced intensity, leading to light rainfall. The impact of this rainfall is expected to be more noticeable on the islands of La Palma and El Hierro, although it should not be excessively heavy. Concurrently, temperatures will continue to rise, with expected highs of 28ºC in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and 24ºC in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, as per the State Meteorological Agency (AEMET).
Squall Hipolito is also expected to usher in the arrival of calima, a phenomenon characterized by hazy and dusty conditions, in the Canary Islands on Friday. Lanzarote and Fuerteventura are likely to be the most affected islands, with the influence of calima intensifying on both Saturday and Sunday. While there’s a possibility that Gran Canaria may experience some haze, the concentration of this phenomenon is expected to be relatively lower initially.
In summary, the Canary Islands should anticipate moderate rainfall, primarily affecting La Palma and El Hierro, along with the arrival of calima, with a more pronounced impact on Lanzarote and Fuerteventura, in the upcoming days.
