The weather in the Canary Islands will change this Thursday, 17 September, with lower temperatures, stronger trade winds and the return of light rain to northern and north-eastern areas of several islands.
According to the State Meteorological Agency Aemet, the most notable change will be the significant drop in maximum temperatures in inland areas, especially after the heat recorded across the archipelago in recent days.
The trade winds will also gain strength during the day. They may blow strongly at times and produce occasional very strong gusts in parts of Gran Canaria, Tenerife, La Gomera, La Palma and El Hierro, particularly during the second half of the day.
On the northern and north-eastern slopes exposed to the trade winds, cloud cover will increase and light rain will be possible. In contrast, the southern slopes will generally remain clearer, with mostly sunny or partly cloudy skies.
Light rain expected in northern areas
In Gran Canaria, skies will be cloudy in the north, where occasional light rain is possible, mainly in mid-altitude areas during the second half of the day. Elsewhere on the island, skies will be mostly clear or partly cloudy. Temperatures will fall across the island, with the most noticeable drop expected inland.
The wind may also be a key feature of the day in Gran Canaria. Occasional very strong gusts are possible on the south-eastern and north-western slopes. In Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, temperatures are expected to range between 24°C and 26°C.
Tenerife to see stronger winds and cooler inland areas
Tenerife will also experience a change in weather conditions this Thursday. Cloud cover will be concentrated in the north of the island, with occasional light rain possible in the north-eastern mid-altitude areas.
Maximum temperatures will fall significantly in mid-altitude zones, bringing a clear contrast with the higher values recorded in recent days.
The trade winds will blow strongly at times and may produce very strong gusts during the second half of the day. The areas most exposed to these gusts will be the eastern slopes, the north-western tip of the island and the southern slopes of the Dorsal.
In Santa Cruz de Tenerife, temperatures are forecast to range between 24°C and 28°C.
Lanzarote and Fuerteventura
In Lanzarote, cloudy spells are expected, although partly cloudy skies will prevail in the south during much of the day. Later in the day, there will be a low probability of light rain in the north of the island. Maximum temperatures may fall significantly on the southern slopes.
In Arrecife, temperatures are expected to range between 23°C and 28°C. Fuerteventura will also see a fall in temperatures. The drop may be particularly noticeable in inland maximum temperatures.
The south of the island will remain generally partly cloudy, while the trade winds may blow strongly in Jandía. In Puerto del Rosario, temperatures are forecast to range between 24°C and 28°C.
Weather on the western islands
On La Gomera, cloudy skies will affect the north, with a chance of light rain in mid-altitude areas. The rest of the island will remain partly cloudy or mostly clear. In San Sebastián de La Gomera, temperatures are expected to range between 24°C and 28°C.
On La Palma, cloud cover will be concentrated in the north and east. Occasional light rain is possible in the north-eastern mid-altitude areas, especially during the early and late hours of the day. In Santa Cruz de La Palma, temperatures are expected to range between 22°C and 25°C.
El Hierro will see cloudy skies in the north, with sunny spells during the middle of the day. There is also a low probability of light rain in mid-altitude areas during the late hours. In Valverde, temperatures are forecast to range between 20°C and 25°C.
Stronger winds and rougher seas
The strengthening of the trade winds will also be reflected at sea. Aemet forecasts north or north-westerly winds of force four or five, temporarily increasing to force six in the south-east and far north-west.
Sea conditions will include swell or strong swell, while the northern swell is expected to reach between one and two metres.
Overall, Thursday will bring a more changeable weather pattern to the Canary Islands. Temperatures will fall, especially inland, light rain will return to northern slopes exposed to the trade winds, and strong gusts may affect several parts of the archipelago during the second half of the day.
