The Canary Islands are facing a new episode of intense heat as September begins, with tropical nights, haze and temperatures that could exceed 35°C in parts of the archipelago.
According to the forecast issued by Meteored, the new spell of high temperatures will affect Spain from Wednesday to Saturday. While the most extreme values are expected in inland areas of the mainland, the Canary Islands will also feel the effects of the change in weather pattern.
The episode comes after the drop in temperatures recorded in recent days, which was linked to the arrival of a colder air mass. However, conditions are now expected to change again due to the advance of a powerful anticyclonic ridge and the arrival of warm air from North Africa.
In the Canary Islands, this will bring higher temperatures, Saharan dust in suspension and warmer nights, especially in areas where the heat remains trapped after sunset.
Gran Canaria among the areas most affected
The heat episode is expected to have a particularly notable impact on Gran Canaria, where temperatures could rise above 35°C over the coming days.
The presence of Saharan dust will also contribute to hazier skies and reduced visibility in parts of the archipelago. This type of weather can make the heat feel more oppressive, especially in areas away from the coast or with little wind.
The nights will also be one of the main concerns. Meteored forecasts tropical nights in several parts of the Canary Islands, with temperatures likely to remain around 25°C or higher during the early hours of the morning.
These conditions can make it harder for homes to cool down overnight and may affect sleep, particularly in urban areas, inland zones and places with limited ventilation.
The heat may also have an impact on outdoor activities, especially during the central hours of the day, when temperatures are expected to be highest.
Aemet, for its part, continues to update its weather forecasts and warnings for the Canary Islands. The current maritime situation report shows no warnings for the archipelago.
Mainland Spain to see the most extreme heat
Although the Canary Islands will experience a significant rise in temperatures, the most intense heat is expected on the Spanish mainland. Temperatures will rise gradually from the start of September and are expected to reach their highest levels between Thursday and Friday.
According to Meteored, several inland provincial capitals could reach between 40°C and 43°C. These include Badajoz, Córdoba, Seville, Toledo and Zaragoza.
The rise in temperatures is linked to a ridge of high pressure that will favour atmospheric warming. At the same time, a pocket of cold air located to the west of the Iberian Peninsula will help draw in a mass of warm air from North Africa.
The models analysed by Meteored even suggest temperatures of around 28°C at an altitude of approximately 1,500 metres over the centre of the peninsula on Friday, a value considered very high for this time of year.
Possible rain in the Canary Islands
Despite the heat, the weather pattern will not be completely stable. According to the forecast analysed by Meteored, the Canary Islands could see scattered showers and downpours between Wednesday and Thursday.
In the rest of Spain, irregular rainfall is also expected in northern and north-eastern areas, the Pyrenees and mountainous zones in the east of the country.
Looking ahead to the weekend, the forecast remains more uncertain. The European model points to the possible arrival of a trough from the north-west of the peninsula, a scenario that could increase instability and lead to storms in several inland and northern areas.
September begins with above-average temperatures
This new episode of heat comes in a wider context of warmer-than-average conditions. Aemet’s seasonal forecast for August, September and October 2026 indicates a very high probability that average temperatures will fall within the warmest third of the historical range across Spain.
However, longer-range weather forecasts are subject to uncertainty, and Aemet warns that confidence decreases as the forecast period extends.
For that reason, the evolution of this weather episode, as well as the possible activation of weather warnings in the Canary Islands or elsewhere in Spain, should be followed through official updates over the coming days.
For now, September is set to begin with a clear return of heat to the Canary Islands, marked by haze, warm nights and temperatures that could exceed 35°C in the most affected areas.
