As the Canary Islands grappled with one of their hottest nights recently, residents experienced near-tropical nighttime temperatures and vigorous wind gusts reaching up to 90 kilometers per hour. According to reports from the State Meteorological Agency (Aemet), which were reviewed by Europa Press, numerous locales across the islands recorded extreme temperatures, underscoring an escalating heatwave.
Peak Temperatures Across the Archipelago
In the early hours, several areas within the archipelago became some of the hottest spots in the country. Notably, Agüimes in Gran Canaria hit a scorching 29.4 degrees Celsius at 01:00 AM, making it one of the warmest locations nationwide. Close behind was San Bartolomé de Tirajana, also in Gran Canaria, where temperatures dipped slightly to 27.8 degrees at 00:50 AM. Similar high temperatures were noted in other parts of the islands, including Güímar in Tenerife and Pájara in Fuerteventura, both recording 27.8 degrees, and the Doramas Forest Centre on Teide registering 27.3 degrees.
Gale Forces Accompany Heat
Alongside the oppressive heat, strong winds battered the islands, adding to the discomfort. La Aldea de San Nicolás in Gran Canaria witnessed the most severe gusts at 90 km/h early in the morning. Other areas like Arure in La Gomera and La Dehesa in El Pinar on the island of El Hierro experienced significant winds of 78 km/h and 74 km/h, respectively.
Meteorological Outlook
This current heat episode is forecasted to persist, with temperatures expected to hover between 30 and 32 degrees Celsius across the southern and eastern slopes of the eastern islands and Tenerife. There’s also a possibility that temperatures could surge beyond 34 degrees Celsius in parts of Gran Canaria.
Concurrently, meteorologists anticipate very strong gusts particularly at dawn and towards evening in the southeastern and northwestern reaches of the mountainous islands, the interior southern half of Lanzarote, and the southern slopes of Jandía in Fuerteventura.
As the Canary Islands continue to battle these extreme weather conditions, residents are urged to remain vigilant, especially during peak heat hours and when engaging in outdoor activities. The local government has issued yellow warnings for adverse coastal phenomena, emphasizing the need for public awareness and preparedness amidst this challenging climatic period.
