The Canary Islands remain under the effects of an intense late-May heatwave, with Aemet maintaining yellow warnings in the eastern province as temperatures continue to exceed 34°C in several areas and may locally reach 37°C. The episode is also bringing light calima, medium and high cloud, and unusually warm nights across the Archipelago.
The State Meteorological Agency (Aemet) has updated its forecast for the Canary Islands as the Archipelago continues to experience one of the hottest spells so far this year. The arrival of a warm subtropical air mass has caused a significant rise in temperatures across much of the region, particularly in the eastern islands, mid-altitude areas and southern and western slopes.
The heat is especially intense in Lanzarote, Fuerteventura and Gran Canaria, where yellow warnings remain in force. According to Aemet, the warnings affect the entire islands of Lanzarote and Fuerteventura, as well as the peaks of Gran Canaria and the eastern, southern and western areas of the island. The highest temperatures are expected during the central hours of the day, especially between late morning and early evening.
Temperatures could reach 37°C in some areas
The most extreme values are expected in inland areas of Gran Canaria and Fuerteventura, where thermometers could locally climb to 37°C. Across large parts of the eastern province, temperatures are expected to reach or exceed 34°C, especially in inland and southern areas.
On Lanzarote and Fuerteventura, the heat will be most intense away from the coast and in southern zones, where maximum temperatures may exceed 34°C. In some inland parts of Fuerteventura, local highs close to 37°C remain possible.
On Gran Canaria, temperatures are forecast to reach 34°C in the mid-altitude areas and on the southern and western peaks. In the northern mid-altitudes, values may remain slightly lower but could still approach 34°C in some locations.
Heat also reaches Tenerife and La Gomera
Although the strongest warnings are concentrated in the eastern province, the western islands will also feel the effects of the heatwave. On Tenerife and La Gomera, temperatures may locally rise on the southern slopes, particularly in areas exposed to sunshine and sheltered from the moderating influence of the sea.
In Tenerife, maximum temperatures could exceed 30°C in mid-altitude areas and may reach around 34°C in the north-eastern mid-altitudes and on the southern and western slopes. Santa Cruz de Tenerife is expected to see temperatures around the low 30s.
On La Gomera, both daytime and night-time temperatures are rising, with the possibility of values reaching 34°C on the southern slopes. Meanwhile, La Palma and El Hierro will see a less intense but still noticeable increase, with temperatures locally reaching or exceeding 30°C in western, southern and eastern areas.
Warm nights and tropical conditions
One of the most uncomfortable aspects of this heat episode will be the high night-time temperatures. Forecasts indicate that several municipalities across the seven islands may experience tropical nights, where minimum temperatures do not fall below 20°C.
In some areas, particularly on Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura and Lanzarote, night-time temperatures may even remain above 25°C, creating what is often described as a sweltering night. These conditions can make rest difficult and increase the health risk for vulnerable people, including the elderly, young children and those with respiratory or cardiovascular conditions.
Calima and cloud cover across the Archipelago
The heatwave is also accompanied by light calima, which will affect visibility and air quality in parts of the Canary Islands. The suspended dust will be present alongside intervals of medium and high cloud across the Archipelago.
The northern coasts may also see some low cloud during the early and late hours of the day. However, this cloud cover will not prevent temperatures from rising sharply in the areas most exposed to the warm air mass.
Aemet also notes the possibility of isolated thunderstorms linked to the arrival of a small atmospheric trough of tropical origin, although the main features of the day will remain heat, haze and warm air.
Moderate north wind and strong gusts in exposed areas
Wind will generally blow from the north at moderate strength. However, occasional strong gusts may affect the eastern and western slopes of the mountainous islands, particularly in exposed areas.
In mid-altitude and high-altitude zones, the wind will tend to shift to a westerly direction. At sea, north-easterly winds of force 2 or 3 are expected, strengthening to force 3 or 4 on the south-eastern and north-western coasts. These conditions will bring choppy or locally rough seas, accompanied by a northerly swell with waves of one to two metres.
Temperatures expected to ease from Thursday
According to current weather models, the subtropical warm air advection is expected to begin retreating from Thursday. A milder air mass should then move over the Canary Islands, gradually bringing temperatures back closer to normal values for this time of year.
Until then, residents and visitors are advised to take precautions during the hottest hours of the day. The main recommendations include drinking water frequently, avoiding prolonged exposure to the sun, reducing strenuous physical activity outdoors, and paying special attention to vulnerable people.
The current heatwave highlights a sharp change in the Canary Islands’ weather pattern, with temperatures far above normal for late May, calima across the Archipelago and yellow warnings affecting the areas most exposed to the intense heat.
