Weather warning for calima and high temperatures in the Canary Islands
AEMET has issued a yellow weather warning for calima across all of the Canary Islands this weekend, as a wave of Saharan air moves over the archipelago bringing dust and haze to the islands, with an increase in temperatures. The alert highlights reduced visibility particularly in higher areas, where conditions are expected to worsen significantly.
The official warning will mainly affect the summit areas of Gran Canaria, where visibility could drop to around 3,000 metres, especially across mid-level areas and higher ground.
The warning comes into force at midday on Saturday (18th April) and will remain active throughout the day.
Forecasters say the calima will be most intense on Saturday and Sunday, spreading across both eastern and western islands, particularly in inland and elevated areas.
Temperatures set to soar
Alongside the dust haze, temperatures are expected to rise sharply across the islands.
From today, Friday, inland parts of Fuerteventura and southern mid-level areas of Gran Canaria could already exceed 30°C.
The peak of the heat is forecast for the weekend:
- Saturday 18th April: Temperatures rising moderately, with highs above 30°C in southern Gran Canaria and Tenerife. Some inland areas of Fuerteventura and southern Gran Canaria could reach 34°C.
- Sunday 19th April: Continued heat, with highs again potentially hitting 34°C in southern Tenerife, Gran Canaria and the eastern islands.
Day-by-day outlook
- Friday: High cloud and light calima in mid-level areas. Moderate north-easterly winds along the coast, with strong gusts possible in south-east and north-west areas.
- Saturday: Significant calima. Winds shifting to the south-east in inland and higher areas, moderate to strong, with occasional very strong gusts.
- Sunday: Intervals of medium and high cloud, with a slight chance of light rain in the eastern province. Strong southerly winds at altitude, with very strong gusts possible inland.
This episode of haze and heat will dominate weather conditions across the Canary Islands in the coming days, bringing reduced visibility, higher temperatures and generally stable but hazy skies.
Health advice recommends limiting prolonged outdoor activity during peak heat and taking precautions if sensitive to dust in the air, or if you have asthma or breathing difficulties.
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