The Canary Islands will face a more unsettled weather pattern this Sunday, with Aemet activating yellow warnings for strong winds and adverse coastal conditions on Gran Canaria, Tenerife, La Gomera and El Hierro. The most affected areas will be exposed slopes, mountain peaks, inter-island channels and north-eastern coastal zones.
The stable weather that has dominated parts of the Canary Islands in recent days is set to give way to a more intense and changeable pattern this Sunday. According to the State Meteorological Agency (Aemet), the strengthening of the trade winds will bring strong gusts, rougher sea conditions and more cloud cover in the north of the higher islands.
The yellow warnings will affect Gran Canaria, Tenerife, La Gomera and El Hierro, where the strongest winds and most difficult sea conditions are expected. The highest risk will be concentrated during the early and late hours of the day, especially in exposed areas and zones where the terrain tends to accelerate the wind.
Although many coastal areas will remain generally stable, with clear or mostly clear skies, conditions inland and in mountainous areas will be more demanding. Aemet is therefore advising caution during outdoor activities, travel through exposed roads and coastal navigation.
Strong trade winds and gusts in exposed areas
The main weather risk will come from the trade winds, which are expected to intensify across the Archipelago. These winds will blow strongly through the inter-island channels and in the usual acceleration zones of the Canary Islands.
The strongest gusts will affect the mountain peaks, north-western slopes and south-eastern slopes of the islands with higher terrain. These areas are particularly vulnerable because the relief of the islands can funnel and accelerate the wind.
The forecast indicates that very strong gusts may occur in several exposed zones, especially on Gran Canaria, Tenerife, La Gomera and El Hierro. The situation may be more noticeable at the beginning and end of the day.
More cloud in the north and possible drizzle
The change in weather will also be reflected in the sky conditions. Cloud cover will become more prominent on the northern slopes of the higher islands, with the cloud base expected between approximately 900 and 1,100 metres.
Aemet does not rule out occasional light drizzle, especially in the mid-altitude areas of the northern coasts. These weak showers will be most likely during the early hours of the morning and again around dusk.
However, the day will not be completely grey. During the middle of the day and afternoon, the sun is expected to break through at times, particularly away from the northern slopes and in more sheltered areas.
Rough seas and coastal risk
Sea conditions will be one of the most important factors of Sunday’s forecast. Aemet warns of north and north-easterly winds of force 4 to 6 across the Canary Islands maritime area.
These winds will generate areas of swell and heavy swell, particularly in exposed waters and inter-island channels. In addition, a marked swell from the north-east or north-west will bring waves of one to two metres to the most exposed coasts.
Boats, swimmers and anyone planning coastal activities should take extra precautions. Conditions may be especially difficult in unprotected areas of the north and north-east, where the combination of wind and waves can increase the risk.
Temperatures rise on the peaks
While wind and sea conditions will dominate the forecast, temperatures will also show some changes. On the mountain peaks, maximum temperatures are expected to rise.
Minimum temperatures may also increase in mid-altitude areas facing south and west, particularly on the central islands. Elsewhere, temperatures will remain generally stable or show only minor variations.
Tenerife: wind risk on eastern slopes and in the far north-west
Tenerife will see mostly clear skies overall, although cloud cover will persist on the northern slopes. Light drizzle is possible in the north-east during the early hours. The forecast also mentions morning showers in some southern and western areas, although these will be occasional. Temperatures will begin to rise on the peaks and in the lowlands of the south.
The trade winds will blow strongly at times, with a high probability of occasional very strong gusts on the eastern slopes, in the far north-west and, very locally, on the southern edge of the metropolitan area. The west of the island will see lighter breezes, while the central peaks will have a light northerly wind.
In Santa Cruz de Tenerife, temperatures will range between 21°C and 28°C.
Gran Canaria: cloudy north and very strong trade winds
Gran Canaria will see mostly cloudy skies in the north, contrasting with clearer skies across the rest of the island.
Temperatures will rise in inland areas, and minimum temperatures will also increase in the southern midlands. The wind will be the most important feature of the day, with strong trade winds and occasional very strong gusts expected on the south-eastern and north-western slopes. In Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, temperatures are expected to range between 19°C and 23°C.
La Gomera: very strong gusts on exposed slopes
La Gomera will have mostly clear skies, although cloud will build up on the northern slopes.
Temperatures will show little change, except for a slight rise in higher areas. The trade winds will blow strongly at times, with a high probability of very strong gusts on the eastern and north-western slopes, as well as on exposed peaks. In San Sebastián de La Gomera, temperatures will range between 21°C and 26°C.
El Hierro: strong winds in eastern areas and the north-west
El Hierro will see clear skies with intervals of cloud in the north.
Temperatures will remain generally stable, although they may rise on the peaks. The trade winds will blow strongly on the eastern slopes and at the north-western tip of the island, with very intense but short-lived gusts. In Valverde, temperatures will remain cooler, ranging from 14°C to 18°C.
La Palma: drizzle in the north and east
La Palma will not be one of the islands under the main yellow warning mentioned in the forecast, but it will still be affected by trade-wind conditions.
Cloudy intervals will dominate in the north and east, where light drizzle is expected during the early and late hours of the day. Temperatures will rise on the peaks.
The north-easterly wind will strengthen in the afternoon, with very strong gusts expected on the south-eastern and north-western slopes. In Santa Cruz de La Palma, temperatures will range between 19°C and 23°C.
Lanzarote and Fuerteventura: clearer skies but stronger wind
Lanzarote and Fuerteventura will generally see clear skies. The main exceptions will be the north and west of Lanzarote and the western coast of Fuerteventura, where low cloud is expected to build up.
Temperatures will remain largely unchanged. However, the trade winds will strengthen and may become locally strong, with the possibility of very strong gusts in the southern half of both islands. In Arrecife, temperatures are expected to range between 19°C and 24°C, while Puerto del Rosario will see values between 19°C and 25°C.
A Sunday marked by wind and sea conditions
Overall, Sunday’s weather in the Canary Islands will be shaped by a stronger trade-wind pattern, yellow warnings on four islands, rougher seas and cloudier conditions in the north of the higher islands.
The most affected areas will be Gran Canaria, Tenerife, La Gomera and El Hierro, especially exposed slopes, mountain peaks and coastal areas open to the north and north-east. Although skies will remain mostly clear in many parts of the Archipelago, the combination of strong wind and adverse sea conditions means caution will be necessary throughout the day.
