The week starts in the Archipelago with Saharan dust at high altitude and very dry environment, an episode that will go further between Tuesday and Wednesday and will be accompanied by high temperatures and intense gusts from the northeast. The haze It will significantly reduce visibility and worsen air quality, especially in mid- and peak areas.
The administrations have activated various weather warnings and health due to the increase in dust and heat. The forecast includes frequent highs of 34-36 ºC on mountainous islands and peaks of up to 37 ºC in the south of Gran Canaria, in addition to accelerated wind in exposed areas.
Calima and active warnings on the islands
The State Meteorological Agency maintains yellow notices by suspended dust and high temperatures in various areas, with special incidence in Gran Canaria (south, west and Tejeda basin). Also expected very strong gusts from the northeast on exposed slopes of Tenerife, La Gomera, El Hierro and in El Paso (La Palma).
The General Directorate of Emergencies has declared Calima pre-alert on all islands within the framework of PEFMA, noting that dust will have a greater impact on midlands and high areas and you can reduce visibilityIn intense episodes, it is not ruled out that coastal flooding may occur. high concentrations of particles.
Active health heat risk levels orange warning (medium risk) in the metropolitan area of Tenerife y yellow notice (low risk) in areas of La Palma (east and summits) and Gran Canaria (east, south, west and summits). The episode will run from at least Tuesday the 16th to Friday the 19th..
In this scenario, Aemet, according to the detailed forecast, foresees 34-36 ºC in mid-range temperatures facing south and west of the mountainous islands, and without ruling out 37 ° C locally in the south of Gran Canaria. The air quality will worsen due to the presence of dust, especially on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Forecast: Tuesday and Wednesday, worse visibility
Between Tuesday and Wednesday the haze is will extend to the entire Archipelago, with the highest concentrations in mid-range and peak areas. Visibility reductions may occur around 3.000 meters and even lower in exposed enclaves.
The temperatures will continue high or slightly rising, with maximums that will exceed the 34 ° C in many areas of relief and values ​​of 36 ºC in Gran Canaria (southern and western midlands and Tejeda basin). Not ruled out some isolated showers on the highest peaks of Tenerife on Wednesday.
The wind will blow from the northeast, moderate with intervals of strong in exposed areas; at medium and high altitudes, it will tend to be a component this. On the southwest coasts they will appear breezes, while on windward slopes the gusts will be channeled.
The situation will persist on Thursday haze, although it will tend to gradually remit in the second half of the day. However, high records will remain in Gran Canaria and areas in the south and west of the islands with the highest relief.
Forecast by islands for this Monday
Lanzarote: mostly clear skies, with intervals in the north early and late hours. Light haze at altitude. Temperatures will remain unchanged or will rise slightly; on the southern slopes, temperatures may reach 30-32 ºC. Wind moderate northeast with strong intervals in the interior of the south. Reef: 22/31ºC.
Fuerteventura: slightly cloudy or clear environment, dust at height Weak and temperatures with little change or slightly rising. In the southeast interior, temperatures may exceed 32 ° C. Wind of the northeast, moderate, with strong intervals in the southern half (JandÃa). Puerto del Rosario: 22/28ºC.
Gran Canaria: north with low cloud cover below 500-700 m and daytime clearings; rest, clear. Calima at altitude in the afternoon. Minimums unchanged and maximums slightly rising inland; temperatures will be reached 34 ° C in the western, southern and southeastern midlands and in the Tejeda basin. Wind moderate northeast with strong intervals (very strong local gusts). Las Palmas de Gran Canaria: 23/27ºC.
Tenerife: intervals in the north in the early hours and more open the rest of the day. In the northeast, cloudy below 600 800-m. Remaining partly cloudy or clear with high clouds in the morning and light haze at altitude in the afternoon. Maximum temperatures will rise slightly in the southern midlands; locally 32 ° C on the western, southern, and southeastern slopes. Wind moderate northeast, with strong intervals in exposed areas; on summits, Moderate SE. Santa Cruz de Tenerife: 23/31ºC.
La Gomera: Generally partly cloudy; in the north, below 700 m, intervals at the beginning and end of the day. High clouds tomorrow and probably light haze at altitude at the end of the day. Temperatures unchanged, with 30-32 ºC possible in the southern and western midlands. Wind moderate northeast with strong intervals on summits and NW and E slopes (possible very strong gusts). San Sebastian de La Gomera: 24/29ºC.
The Palm: north and east with intervals below 800 m and clear skies at midday; the rest will be partly cloudy with some high cloudiness. Temperatures in slight rise, with 30 ° C in the midlands and lowlands of the west. Wind moderate northeast with strong intervals in the SE and NW, and in Step (very strong gusts possible). Santa Cruz de La Palma: 23/27ºC.
The iron: north with intervals Below 600-800 m, with a tendency to be partly cloudy during the day; the rest will be clear. Probable light haze at altitude at the end. Temperatures unchanged or slightly rising, with 30 ° C in the midlands of the SW. Wind moderate northeast with strong gusts in the far west, southeastern slopes and high areas (very strong gusts). Valverde: 19/25ºC.
Health and self-protection recommendations
The authorities recall that the episode supposes risk to vulnerable population (elderly people, young children, pregnant women and chronic patients), and for those who work or play sports outdoors during the central hours of the day.
It agrees hydrate frequently, avoid alcohol and energy drinks, prioritize light meals, wear loose clothing, and plan physical activity first thing in the morning or last thing at night. Indoors, cool the rooms and look for air-conditioned spaces helps mitigate the impact.
If they appear dizziness, severe weakness, cramps, headache, or fainting, you have to stop the activity, move to a cool place and call 112 in case of worsening or doubts.
Wind, waves and fire risk
In addition to dust and heat, we expect very strong gusts from the northeast in exposed areas (El Paso in La Palma; SE and W slopes of La Gomera and El Hierro; SE of Tenerife), as well as a situation of pre-alert by coastal phenomena and wind in the Archipelago.
The Government of the Canary Islands declares fire risk alert in El Hierro, La Gomera, La Palma, Tenerife and, in Gran Canaria, above 400 m. They are combined high temperatures, low temperature inversion (below 400 m), humidity of 20-40% from 500-600 m and calima, with winds of component east and southeast in mid-range and peak areas.
It is requested take extreme precautions In rural and forested environments, avoid the use of fire and follow the instructions of the emergency services throughout the duration of the incident.
The Archipelago faces several days with Persistent haze, intense heat and northeast wind; the notices are concentrated between the Tuesday and Wednesday, with a tendency towards a gradual improvement starting Thursday, although the southern and western mountainous islands could maintain high values ​​for a few more days.
