Amid a political debate that is both legitimate and occasionally marred by short-term interests, the Canary Islands are witnessing an undeniably unusual start to the year from a climate perspective. So far, there have been 57 daily records of extreme temperatures, which is unusually high compared to the typical climate patterns, with only three days recording temperatures below normal. These figures are significant even when viewed against the backdrop of decades of empirical climatic data for the region.
This April, another extraordinary weather event is affecting the islanders, bringing intense heat and calima (haze). According to specialists from the State Meteorological Agency (Aemet), this unfavourable weather lasted over a week.
Local authorities are on high alert, informing residents of the changing nature of forest fires, which are no longer just a summer phenomenon. Modern fires are more ferocious than in the past, challenging even the sophisticated firefighting resources that the community has invested in to combat such natural disasters.
For residents, the impact of these conditions is immediate and undeniable. Opening a window reveals a world where suspended dust obscures the near horizon, a stark reminder of the ongoing environmental shift. This month, Aemet has already issued more warnings for the eastern province about the risks posed by the high temperatures and haze affecting the three islands: Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, as well as Gran Canaria.
Nevertheless, Tenerife is not immune to these conditions. Rubén del Campo, a state spokesperson for Aemet and an expert on the island’s climate following his tenure at the Izaña observatory, noted that this month temperatures between 35 and 38 degrees were recorded at numerous observatories across the Canary Islands, some reaching unprecedented levels, such as in Las Galletas (San Miguel de Abona).
