The State Meteorological Agency (Aemet) has issued an updated forecast for the Canary Islands, predicting a complex weather situation in the coming hours. The region will face a combination of light haze (calima), strong wind gusts, and heavy seas, particularly in areas commonly exposed to the trade winds.
General Weather Overview
1. Calima and Wind
- Light Calima:
- Expected from Monday evening in Lanzarote and Fuerteventura, potentially reducing visibility and bringing dry, warm air from the Sahara.
- Strong Wind Gusts:
- Forecast for northwest and southeast slopes of the mountainous islands, with the possibility of locally very strong gusts in exposed areas.
2. Sky Conditions and Temperature
- High Cloud Cover:
- High clouds will dominate, with mostly clear or slightly cloudy skies elsewhere.
- Temperature Changes:
- Little change overall, though minimum temperatures may drop slightly in some areas.
- Winds:
- Predominantly moderate northeast winds, with strong intervals on the northwest and southeast slopes.
3. Sea Conditions
- Northeasterly Winds at Sea:
- Force 4 to 6, leading to heavy or very heavy seas.
- Swells:
- North-westerly swell of 2 to 3 metres, increasing to 4 metres in exposed coastal regions.
- Caution Advised:
- Maritime activities are advised to proceed with caution due to rough sea conditions.
Island-Specific Forecasts
LANZAROTE
- Sky Conditions:
- High cloud during the morning, with some cloud along the east and north coasts, clearing after midday.
- Light calima possible after sunset.
- Temperature:
- Little change expected throughout the day.
- Wind:
- Moderate northeast wind throughout the island.
FUERTEVENTURA
- Sky Conditions:
- High clouds during the morning, becoming partly cloudy or clear by afternoon.
- Light calima possible after sunset, particularly in inland areas.
- Temperature:
- Slight drop in minimum temperatures, maximum temperatures stable.
- Wind:
- Moderate northeast wind prevailing across the island.
GRAN CANARIA
- Northeast Region:
- Cloudy skies, becoming partly cloudy by midday, with cloud cover returning in low-lying areas by evening.
- Elsewhere:
- Mostly clear skies, except for high cloud intervals in the morning.
- Temperature:
- Little change, with a slight drop in minimum temperatures.
- Wind:
- Moderate northeast wind, with strong intervals in the southeast and northwest, and occasional very strong gusts on mountain summits.
- In the mountains, the wind will shift to an easterly component by late evening.
- Coastal Breezes:
- Breezes expected on the southwest coasts.
TENERIFE
- Sky Conditions:
- Clear or mostly clear, except for high clouds in the morning and low clouds in the northeast during early and late hours.
- Temperature:
- Little change throughout the day.
- Wind:
- Moderate northeast wind, with strong intervals in the extreme southeast and northwest, where occasional very strong gusts are possible.
- Coastal Breezes:
- Expected along the west coast.
LA GOMERA
- Northern Region:
- Cloudy skies in the morning, becoming partly cloudy by midday.
- Elsewhere:
- Mostly clear or slightly cloudy, with high cloud intervals in the morning.
- Temperature:
- Little change expected.
- Wind:
- Moderate northeast wind, with strong intervals on the eastern slopes and extreme northwest.
- Occasional very strong gusts possible on summits.
- Easterly wind expected on the mountain peaks in the late evening.
- Coastal Breezes:
- Breezes on the southern coasts.
LA PALMA
- Eastern and Northeastern Regions:
- Cloudy skies, becoming partly cloudy by midday.
- Elsewhere:
- Clear or mostly clear, with high cloud intervals in the early morning.
- Temperature:
- Little change overall, with a slight drop in minimum temperatures in the high peaks.
- Wind:
- Moderate northeast wind, with strong intervals on the northwestern and southeastern slopes.
- Very strong gusts possible in the El Paso area.
- Coastal Breezes:
- Expected on the northeastern and western coasts.
EL HIERRO
- Sky Conditions:
- Clear or mostly clear, except for high cloud intervals in the morning and low clouds in the northeast.
- Temperature:
- Little change expected throughout the day.
- Wind:
- Moderate northeast wind, with strong intervals in the northwest and southern ends.
- Occasional very strong gusts possible on the summits, where the wind will shift to an easterly component in the afternoon.
- Coastal Breezes:
- Expected on the southwest coasts.
Precautions and Recommendations
- Residents and tourists are advised to be cautious of the strong wind gusts, particularly on mountainous islands and coastal areas.
- Maritime activities should be approached with caution due to rough sea conditions and high swells.
- In calima-affected areas, it is recommended to limit outdoor activities, stay hydrated, and take precautions against reduced visibility.
