After several days of hazy skies and reduced visibility, weather conditions across the Canary Islands are set to improve. The Agencia Estatal de Meteorología (Aemet) has confirmed that the episode of calima — dust-laden air arriving from the Sahara — will gradually subside from the early hours of Wednesday, 18 February, bringing clearer skies and improved air quality as the day progresses.
Brighter skies and stabilising conditions
According to the official forecast, Wednesday will be generally slightly cloudy across the archipelago, with intervals of low cloud affecting northeastern areas during the early morning and again late in the evening. The calima will be light and steadily diminishing from the start of the day, offering a noticeable improvement by the afternoon.
Temperatures are expected to fall slightly along coastal areas, particularly in northern parts of the islands, while remaining largely unchanged elsewhere. In Tenerife, highs could reach 25°C, whereas El Hierro is forecast to record lows of around 13°C.
Island-by-island outlook
In Gran Canaria, skies will remain mostly clear, with some low cloud intervals in the north during the first and last hours of the day. Temperatures will show little variation overall, apart from a slight drop in maximum temperatures in northern areas. In Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, thermometers are expected to range between 22°C and 17°C.
Meanwhile, Lanzarote and Fuerteventura will also experience partly cloudy conditions, with morning low cloud giving way to clearer skies as the calima continues to fade.
Northeasterly winds with stronger intervals
Winds will blow predominantly from the northeast, with stronger intervals expected on southeastern slopes and in extreme northwestern areas. Western parts of the islands will see mainly light breezes. In the central summits, winds will be light and easterly, later shifting towards the northeast by the end of the day. In mountainous areas, variable light winds are forecast before settling into a northeasterly flow.
With the dust episode easing, the Canary Islands look set to return to more typical February conditions, offering residents and visitors a welcome break from the recent hazy atmosphere.
