The Canary Islands are facing another sweltering day this Monday, 3 August, with temperatures expected to reach or even exceed 40°C in several parts of the archipelago. The State Meteorological Agency, Aemet, is forecasting generally clear skies, dust haze at higher altitudes and strong winds in exposed areas, on a day marked by high-temperature warnings and particularly severe conditions in Gran Canaria.
The Canary Islands Government is maintaining the high-temperature alert across the entire autonomous community due to the arrival of a mass of hot, dry air from Africa. In addition, the INFOCA Plan alert remains active because of the risk of forest fires on five islands.
The episode of extreme heat is affecting inland and mid-altitude areas especially severely. Night-time temperatures are also offering little relief, with minimum values not expected to fall below 25°C to 28°C in the worst-affected areas. The combination of very high temperatures, low humidity and gusty winds is significantly increasing the risk of fires spreading, particularly at altitudes of 400 metres and above.
Gran Canaria will feel the full force of the African air mass
In the province of Las Palmas, Gran Canaria will be the island most severely affected by the hot African air mass. Temperatures are expected to exceed 34°C across almost the entire island, with the exception of the northern coast. In the northern mid-altitude areas, values may reach 37°C, while on the peaks and in the southern and western mid-altitude areas, temperatures are forecast to exceed the 40°C mark.
The situation will also be difficult overnight. In the higher areas of Gran Canaria, minimum temperatures are not expected to fall below 28°C, which will make rest and sleep particularly difficult. In Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, temperatures will be more moderate, ranging between a minimum of 25°C and a maximum of 29°C.
In Lanzarote and Fuerteventura, Aemet forecasts clear skies with calima in the upper layers of the atmosphere, adding to the feeling of heat and atmospheric dryness.
Highs of 37°C in the southern mid-altitude areas of Tenerife
In the province of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, the heat will be especially intense in inland and mid-altitude areas. The southern mid-altitude areas of Tenerife are expected to record maximum temperatures of up to 37°C. Across large parts of the province’s mid-altitude zones, temperatures will exceed 34°C to 35°C.
Minimum temperatures on these slopes will also remain very high, not falling below 25°C overnight. In general terms, forecast temperatures in the western province will range from a minimum of 23°C in El Hierro to a maximum of 32°C in Tenerife.
Along the north-eastern coast, some intervals of low cloud may appear overnight, but these will do little to reduce the impact of the heat in the areas most exposed to the current weather situation.
Strong winds and fire warnings on five islands
The wind will blow moderately from the north-east, with periods of strong wind and very strong gusts along the south-eastern and western coasts of the archipelago. These gusts are expected to ease during the afternoon in the eastern province. However, in the far west of Tenerife, occasional very strong gusts cannot be ruled out during the early hours of the morning and again towards the end of the day.
On the mountain peaks, light to moderate easterly winds will prevail. Given these weather conditions, the Directorate-General for Emergencies has stressed the importance of taking every possible precaution.
The forest fire alert remains in force on El Hierro, La Gomera, La Palma, Tenerife and Gran Canaria. Members of the public are urged to avoid any activity that could generate sparks or increase the risk of fire, especially in wooded areas and mid-altitude zones.
Authorities continue to advise residents and visitors to follow official recommendations, avoid unnecessary exposure during the hottest hours of the day, stay hydrated and pay particular attention to vulnerable groups. With extreme temperatures, very warm nights, dust haze and strong gusts of wind, the Canary Islands remain under a particularly dangerous weather situation at the start of the week.
