The State Meteorological Agency (AEMET) has issued a forecast predicting a noticeable increase in temperatures across various parts of the Canary Islands over the weekend of Saturday, 31 May and Sunday, 1 June. Despite the expected heat and accompanying atmospheric conditions, no official weather warnings have been issued.
Areas Most Likely to Experience the Heat
According to AEMET, daytime temperatures could surpass 30°C in several inland and elevated regions:
- Eastern Islands: The southern interior of Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura, and Lanzarote will be most affected.
- Western Islands: The southern and western midlands of Tenerife, La Palma, La Gomera, and El Hierro are also likely to see highs above 30°C.
General Weather Conditions
- Skies: Mostly clear or partly cloudy skies are expected throughout the archipelago. In mountainous islands, low cloud cover will form overnight and during the early morning in the north (especially in Tenerife, La Palma, La Gomera, and El Hierro), as well as in the west of Lanzarote and Fuerteventura. These clouds are expected to dissipate by midday, giving way to sunnier conditions.
- Haze: A significant calima (Saharan dust intrusion) is forecast at high altitudes, particularly over the eastern islands, which may reduce visibility in elevated inland areas.
- Temperatures: While coastal areas are expected to remain relatively stable, with highs between 24°C and 27°C in the provincial capitals, interior and upland zones will experience a more notable rise. Localised temperatures in these areas could exceed 30°C, particularly in south- and west-facing slopes.
Wind Conditions
- Wind Direction and Strength:
- Western Islands: Moderate north-easterly winds will dominate.
- Eastern Islands: Winds will come from the north.
- Tenerife Peaks: Winds from the south-west will strengthen during the day, potentially reaching strong gusts by the evening, especially near the island’s central peaks.
Sunday Outlook: Persistent Heat and Slight Cloud Variations
On Sunday, weather patterns will remain largely consistent with Saturday, though slight changes in cloud distribution and nighttime temperatures are expected:
- Skies: Clear to partly cloudy conditions will prevail. Low clouds will again appear in the northern lowlands of the mountainous islands and in western Lanzarote and Fuerteventura. In the afternoon, medium-level cloud bands may develop over the southern part of the archipelago, potentially creating a veil of high clouds in areas of Tenerife and Gran Canaria.
- Saharan Dust: The dust layer will persist, especially in the eastern islands and upper altitudes elsewhere, continuing to create a hazy atmosphere above mid-level elevations.
- Temperatures:
- Daytime highs: Will remain similar to Saturday, often reaching or exceeding 30°C in interior and mid-altitude southern and western regions.
- Night-time lows: A slight increase is expected around Mount Teide, with temperatures not dropping below 8°C.
- Winds:
- The north-easterly (west) and northerly (east) winds will persist across the islands.
- Strong gusts may occur on the north-west and south-east coasts, particularly on Tenerife and Gran Canaria.
- In the high mountains, especially around Teide, moderate to strong south-westerly winds could again produce very strong gusts, especially towards the evening.
