Monday will begin across the Canary Islands with relatively light levels of haze, but conditions are expected to worsen as the day progresses. According to the forecast issued by the State Meteorological Agency (Aemet), a mass of African air is moving towards the archipelago, bringing airborne dust (calima) and a noticeable rise in maximum temperatures, particularly in inland and mid-altitude areas.
The Directorate-General for Emergencies of the Canary Islands Government has declared a pre-alert for calima throughout the islands from 06:00 on Monday, 16 February. In addition, the archipelago remains on pre-alert for coastal phenomena and strong winds.
Although skies will remain mostly clear, visibility will gradually deteriorate due to suspended dust particles, with the haze expected to become more persistent and more visible towards the middle of the day and into the afternoon.
Haze map: which areas will be most affected?
The calima will be widespread, but certain areas are forecast to experience a greater impact, with reduced visibility and higher dust concentrations.
- Gran Canaria: the east, south and west slopes are expected to be particularly affected.
- Tenerife: the east, south and west of the island will see the greatest impact, especially from the afternoon onwards.
- Lanzarote and Fuerteventura: intense low-level calima is forecast for much of the day.
- La Palma: the eastern slopes are likely to see higher concentrations.
- La Gomera and El Hierro: generalised impact, with stronger presence on southern slopes.
Surface dust concentrations are estimated to range between 50 and 200 micrograms per cubic metre. However, specialists warn that the densest layers of dust are expected above 400 to 500 metres in altitude, where visibility could be significantly reduced.
Temperatures: a ‘summer-like’ Monday inland
One of the most striking features of the day will be the sharp rise in maximum temperatures, particularly in inland areas.
In Santa Cruz de Tenerife, temperatures are forecast to reach 26°C, while in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria the mercury could climb to 25°C. In the mountainous areas of Tenerife and Gran Canaria, the increase is expected to be especially pronounced, marking a clear break from the cooler trend of recent days.
Minimum temperatures will remain largely stable, with only slight increases on southern slopes.
Wind and sea conditions
Winds will blow predominantly from the east and south-east. Coastal areas will experience moderate winds, while midlands and higher elevations may see strong intervals during the early hours, with the possibility of intense gusts before dawn.
At sea, conditions will gradually improve after a rough start:
- North-easterly winds of force 5 to 6, locally reaching force 7 in the south-east and west.
- Strong swells or rough seas early on, easing as the day progresses.
- A northerly swell of 3 to 4 metres, decreasing to 2 to 3 metres in the afternoon.
Health advice
Authorities recommend that people with respiratory conditions take precautions in areas with higher dust concentrations. It is also advisable to avoid prolonged exposure to the sun during the hottest hours of the day, particularly in inland zones where temperatures will be significantly higher than usual.
