The Canary Islands will begin to notice the effects of the heatwave today, with the arrival of the dry air mass that is already affecting mainland Spain and the Balearic Islands; with a weather warning in place from 10am this morning (Friday) until next Wednesday, although the weather won’t return to normal for this time of year until next Friday, according to Aemet.
The period between July 15th and August 15th is known as the heatwave, which in theory, are the hottest set of days of the year. Scientifically, it is attributed to the fact that "the sun's rays reach the Earth more at a more perpendicular angle and both the surface of the ground and the sea get hotter than at any other time of the year."
This combined with the hot air mass heading to the Canary Islands has led to the General Directorate of Security and Emergencies to declare the alert for maximum temperatures from this morning. The Specific Emergency Plan for Risks of Adverse Meteorological Phenomena (PEFMA) is applied to “an episode of high temperatures prolonged in time, with a dry and warm environment, which may exceed 40ºC in Gran Canaria, without ruling out these values in other islands”. Relative humidity will generally be less than 30%, and this situation will last until the middle of next week.
The heatwave hit mainland Spain on Wednesday, where temperatures of 40°C plus were recorded in 33 towns equipped with Aemet weather stations. The Canary Islands will see the effects from today as a thermal rise from the North African air mass will start to hit Lanzarote and Fuerteventura heading west across the islands.
On August 26th last year, Aemet activated the red alert for the first time since the system was established in 2007, in Gran Canaria, Lanzarote and Fuerteventura. At that time, La Gomera, El Hierro; the summits and the west of La Palma; the east, south, west and the metropolitan area of Tenerife were marked with orange.
The General Directorate of Security and Emergencies, once again warn of the adverse affects of the heat and advise people to:
- Stay in the coolest rooms of the house.
- Lower the blinds or close curtains during the day and open them at night.
- Ensure some sort of air movement/cooling with fans or air conditioning.
- Avoid sudden temperature changes.
- Outdoors: avoid direct sun, wear a cap or a hat, wear lightweight, light-coloured loose clothing.
- Drink plenty of water.
- Avoid alcoholic beverages and heavy meals;
- Do not leave children or elderly people in a closed vehicle.
FOREST FIRES WARNING IN FIVE ISLANDS:
Tenerife, La Palma, La Gomera, El Hierro and Gran Canaria are also on high alert from this morning due to the risk of forest fires.
Authorities are asking for prudence and have requested citizens for their collaboration to prevent the danger of burning vegetation, and to prevent outbreaks of fire.
