Temperatures are set to rise across parts of the Canary Islands today (Thursday), with highs potentially exceeding 37°C in Gran Canaria and reaching 34°C in parts of Tenerife and Fuerteventura.

The Spanish Met Office (AEMET) is forecasting a mixture of cloudy and clear skies across the archipelago, with the warmest conditions expected in inland areas and at higher altitudes.

Cloudy skies will dominate northern parts of the islands initially, although conditions should gradually improve during the day. Lanzarote and Fuerteventura will become mostly clear, while northern areas of the other islands will see a mixture of cloud and sunny spells.

Elsewhere, particularly on southern slopes and at higher elevations, skies are expected to remain mostly clear or sunny.

Temperatures will rise slightly to moderately in the mid-altitude and higher areas of the mountainous islands, while coastal temperatures will remain relatively stable.

Gran Canaria could exceed 37°C
Gran Canaria will experience the highest temperatures today, particularly across the west, south and southeast of the island. Temperatures of between 34°C and 36°C are forecast in these areas and in the Tejeda basin, with some locations potentially exceeding 37°C. Light calima is also expected at higher altitudes.

Tenerife could reach 34°C
Cloudy conditions are forecast in the north below approximately 700 to 800 metres during the morning, although sunny spells should develop as the day progresses. The rest of the island will be mostly clear or sunny.

Temperatures will remain relatively unchanged along the coasts but will rise in the mid-altitude and higher areas. AEMET expects temperatures of around 30°C to 32°C in mid-altitude areas facing east, south and west, as well as some lower areas on the southern side of the metropolitan area. However, temperatures could locally reach 34°C on south-facing slopes.

Moderate north-easterly winds are expected, becoming strong at times in the southeast and northwest of the island and on the southern side of the metropolitan area. There is also the possibility of locally very strong gusts, particularly during the second half of the day. Coastal areas in the southwest should experience lighter breezes.

Up to 34°C in Fuerteventura
Fuerteventura will start and end the day with some cloudy intervals in western areas, but conditions will generally become clearer during the day. Maximum temperatures will rise slightly, reaching around 32°C in southern inland areas and along the southeast coast, with isolated locations potentially reaching 34°C.

Moderate north-easterly winds are expected, occasionally becoming strong to the south of Jandía, where very strong gusts cannot be ruled out.

Lanzarote reaching around 30°C
In Lanzarote, there will initially be cloudy intervals in northern and western areas, becoming mostly clear during daylight hours. Elsewhere, skies will generally remain clear, although some medium and high-level cloud is possible during the morning.

Temperatures will change little overall, although maximum temperatures will rise slightly and could reach around 30°C in southeastern parts of the island.

Moderate north-easterly winds are expected, becoming strong at times across southern inland areas during the beginning and end of the day.

Rough seas and strong winds

Conditions at sea will also require some caution today. AEMET forecasts north to north-easterly winds of force 4 or 5, accompanied by moderate to rough seas.

A northerly swell of between one and two metres is also expected around the islands.

The strongest winds on land will generally affect the southeast and northwest extremes of the higher islands, where locally very strong gusts are possible.

With temperatures climbing above 30°C across several islands, residents and holidaymakers are advised to take the usual precautions during the hottest part of the day, particularly in inland and mid-altitude areas where temperatures will be considerably higher than those experienced at many coastal resorts.