The heatwave continues to affect much of the Canary Islands this Friday, 31 July, bringing very high temperatures, calima, warm nights and a high risk of forest fires across several islands. The highest temperatures are expected in Gran Canaria, where thermometers may reach or exceed 37°C in the most exposed areas. The State Meteorological Agency, Aemet, is maintaining the orange warning for maximum temperatures on the island.
Yellow warnings are also in force in Tenerife, La Palma, La Gomera, El Hierro and Fuerteventura, where temperatures may reach up to 35°C in mid-altitude areas, inland zones, mountain peaks and southern slopes. In addition, the Canary Islands Government is maintaining the alert for forest fire risk in the western islands and Gran Canaria, due to the combination of heat, dry air, calima and adverse weather conditions.
Where it will be hottest this Friday in the Canary Islands
According to Aemet’s forecast, the highest temperatures will be recorded in the mountain peaks and southern slopes of Gran Canaria, where values could reach or exceed 37°C. Temperatures of between 34°C and 35°C are also expected in the mid-altitude areas of western, southern and eastern Tenerife, as well as in the mountain peaks and southern slopes of La Gomera and El Hierro.
The heat will also affect the peaks of La Palma and inland and south-eastern areas of Fuerteventura, where temperatures will remain particularly high during the central hours of the day. Across large areas of the mid-altitude regions and mountain peaks, especially on south- and west-facing slopes, temperatures are expected to reach between 30°C and 32°C.
Minimum temperatures will also remain unusually high in the areas most exposed to the current weather system, particularly in Gran Canaria, where the night-time heat may offer little relief.
Significant calima in mid-altitude areas and mountain peaks
The skies over the Canary Islands will remain mostly clear or partly cloudy, with intervals of high cloud. Some low cloud may appear along the northern coasts of the mountainous islands during the early and late hours of the day.
One of the most notable phenomena will be the presence of calima at high altitudes. This suspended dust may become significant in the mid-altitude areas and mountain peaks of the mountainous islands, reducing visibility and worsening air quality in some locations.
Aemet explains that the gradual descent of the moist air layer, together with warm and stable atmospheric conditions, will lead to a marked rise in temperatures. The highest values will be concentrated in the least windy areas on the southern slopes, where the moderating effect of the trade winds will be weaker.
The wind will blow moderately from the north-east, with strong gusts on the south-eastern and north-western slopes of the mountainous islands. Occasionally very strong gusts cannot be ruled out during the early hours of the morning.
Heatwave begins to lose strength in parts of Spain
While the Canary Islands remain under the effects of high temperatures, the heatwave will begin to lose strength in some parts of mainland Spain. On the Iberian Peninsula, the arrival of a cooler air mass from the north will cause temperatures to fall this Friday in the upper and middle reaches of the Ebro Valley, the Northern Plateau and central areas of the peninsula.
However, very high temperatures will persist in other parts of Spain. Values are still expected to exceed 38°C or 40°C in the middle and lower reaches of the Ebro, the north-eastern depressions and the Pyrenean valleys. The situation will be even harsher in the Guadalquivir Valley, the Genil basin and inland areas of the south-eastern peninsula, where maximum temperatures could reach between 39°C and 41°C.
On Saturday, the heat is expected to be particularly intense in the Guadalquivir Valley and surrounding areas, with maximum temperatures of between 40°C and 42°C.
Aemet forecasts that the heatwave will begin to ease from midday on Sunday, with the arrival of an Atlantic trough and a general drop in temperatures across the south-west of the peninsula. In the Canary Islands, however, the authorities continue to urge caution due to the combination of high temperatures, calima, very warm nights and the ongoing risk of forest fires.
