Summer heatwave hits the Canary Islands, pushing maximum temperatures up to eight degrees

The summer heat has arrived throughout the Canary Islands. On the first day of this extraordinary episode of high temperatures, the thermometers in the archipelago have recorded maximums eight degrees higher than they were just a day before. These figures highlight how unusual and sweltering this heat is in the middle of April, reminding us of the inevitable impact of climate change in the archipelago.

Canarias has begun this Wednesday a heatwave episode that will extend until next Sunday, due to the arrival of a mass of hot and dry air from the African continent.

The entrance of this warm mass, which arrives along with a thick layer of calima, is related to the position of the anticyclone which, instead of being located in the Azores, has shifted to the Peninsula. In essence, it is the surrounding winds that are responsible for carrying this mix of Saharan dust and stifling heat to the archipelago.

This Wednesday, temperatures have progressively risen throughout the Canaries, starting from the easternmost islands. Thus, the maximum temperatures recorded during the day have reached 32.1 degrees at the airport in Lanzarote, La Aldea de San Nicolás, on Gran Canaria (32.1), and the town of Tías, also in Lanzarote (31.7). Temperatures have also been summery in Fuerteventura, which reached 30.5 degrees in Tuineje.

In the western province, the thermal rise took a little longer to take effect, especially on the northern slope of Tenerife, La Gomera, and El Hierro. Thus, while some stations in southern Tenerife recorded maximums of 26.9 degrees – such as at the southern airport – municipalities like San Juan de la Rambla, in northern Tenerife, barely surpassed 15 degrees. That is, more than a 10-degree difference between the two slopes.

However, the increases have been less pronounced than in the eastern province. In Tenerife South, for example, the difference in maximum temperature from the previous day was 1.6 degrees, and in the capital of Tenerife, the difference was minimal.

Thursday, peak day

The State Meteorological Agency (Aemet) expects this Thursday to be the “peak day” of heat. This was stated by the Aemet delegate in the Canary Islands, David Suárez, who emphasized that this Thursday temperatures will exceed 34 degrees in different parts of the archipelago. “The rise will be more noticeable on the southern slope,” indicated the delegate, who warned, however, that “in the north, the southward blowing ladera wind could heat up the atmosphere.”

Given this situation, Aemet has issued yellow warnings for high temperatures in various areas of the archipelago, including Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, the south and north of Gran Canaria –excluding the summits–, the south and north of Tenerife –excluding the metropolitan area–, La Gomera, and the west of La Palma. “In El Hierro, we do not anticipate temperatures exceeding 34 degrees,” Suárez highlighted.

Following the passage of the warm air mass this Thursday, experts expect temperatures to gradually and slowly decrease in the following days, although “they will remain higher than usual throughout the weekend.” A significant drop is expected on Monday the 15th, although there will still be small areas where maximums could reach 30 degrees. Unless there are changes, the episode will end on Tuesday, April 16th. “By then, the anticyclone will have shifted to the Azores, and the air blowing in the Canary Islands will have a maritime component, softening the temperatures,” Suárez stated.

Canary Islands on alert

The heat, coupled with the rough sea conditions and intense winds hitting the Canary Islands, have led the Government of the Canary Islands to declare an alert situation for various reasons, including elevated high temperatures, fires, coastal floods, and wind. Additionally, the Government has issued a pre-alert for coastal phenomena and calima.

Canarias has been under alert for winds since Monday, April 8th, and from midnight on Tuesday, April 9th, a pre-alert for coastal phenomena came into effect. To all this, at 3:00 p.m. this Tuesday, the alert for the risk of forest fires in Gran Canaria was activated, which was extended on Wednesday at 12:00 p.m. to the entire western province.

In this regard, the Directorate General of Emergencies advises the population to exercise caution given this unusual heatwave, avoiding going out and engaging in prolonged physical activities during the central hours of the day, staying in cool places, drinking plenty of liquids, and protecting themselves from the sun outdoors. Special care should be taken with the elderly and children, who are more vulnerable to these intense heat episodes.

Regarding the arrival of calima, it is recommended that people with chronic respiratory diseases avoid going outside and keep doors and windows closed. In anticipation of a worsening of the meteorological situation throughout this week, the Directorate General of Emergencies continues to monitor its evolution and does not rule out changes in the current warnings.