The term "donkey's belly" in the Canary Islands is commonly used in the Las Palmas de Gran Canaria area to describe the overcast sky and sea of ​​clouds that can be seen for many days during the summer. These clouds can be deceiving regarding the weather. It may seem as if it's going to rain, but it's still the warm weather typical of this time of year. The problem is that people often think that numerous outdoor sports or leisure activities in the city, or going to the beach for a walk or a swim, might be canceled.
In this article, we'll tell you about the formation and characteristics of the Canary Islands donkey's belly.
Donkey belly from the Canary Islands
Named for the color of the fur on the bellies of the aforementioned animals, these low-lying clouds act as a natural sunscreen, providing a refreshing warmth. They are climatically exciting as they moderate summer temperatures, allowing locals and tourists to enjoy these months. The trade winds blowing from the northeast are responsible for the accumulation of these low clouds in the archipelago. The city is strategically located within this area to benefit from this phenomenon, reducing the effects of the most intense summer heat.
In winter, thanks to the influence of the trade winds, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria maintains the same temperatures year-round as in spring, with clear skies. This constant 22 degrees Celsius (72 degrees Fahrenheit) underscores the significance of the Gran Canaria capital being considered the city with the best climate in the world. This very reasonable condition continues to attract many foreigners—as well as domestic tourists from the Spanish mainland—who have even decided to make this city their home.
According to a study by Syracuse University in the United States, published in the journal Consumer Travel in 1996, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria boasts the best climate in the world. Therefore, it's not uncommon to find many tourists in Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, escaping the southern heat during the summer months and seeking relief from the cultural, leisure, and dining options offered by the city. The beaches of Vegueta and Las Canteras also offer this same pleasant climate, allowing you to enjoy various water sports, such as surfing and beach volleyball.
Training
The Panza de Burro de Canarias is a group of low-lying clouds, usually at an altitude of about 500 to 1500 meters, that accumulate over an area of ​​the island. This atmospheric phenomenon is produced by the action of three factors: the trade winds, the Azores anticyclone and the mountainous shape of the islands.
The origin of the Panza de Burro is due to three factors:
- The trade winds they blow from the northeast and move the clouds in this direction.
- The effect of the Azores anticyclone on cloud height reduction.
- The mountains of the island are undulating, causing cloudy skies to stay in the north.
In fact, this set of climatic and geographical factors is also one of the secrets of the magical climate of the Lucky Islands: the trade winds cool in summer and stay away in winter. The localities most affected by these cloudy skies are those located to the north of the highest islands: Gran Canaria, Tenerife, La Palma, La Gomera and El Hierro. Specifically, the case of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria stands out, many places have the best climate in the world... precisely because of the donkey's belly!
This accumulation of cloudy weather at low altitudes occurs throughout the year, especially in summer. This is so because during the summer the impact of the Azores anticyclone is greater. Therefore, if you go to the Canary Islands in search of a sun and beach holiday, it is best to stay in the southern part of the island.
Benefits of the donkey belly of the Canary Islands
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is one of the biggest beneficiaries of this phenomenon, as it allows visitors to enjoy the beach and leisure activities without suffering from the heat. Thanks to meteorological phenomena such as the trade winds and the "donkey's belly" (a layer of cloud cover), the city maintains an average annual temperature of 22 degrees Celsius year-round. According to a 1996 study by Syracuse University published in the journal Consumer Travel, the capital of Gran Canaria has the best climate in the world. In summer, the "donkey's belly" acts as a protective blanket against the heat, which is common in the main tourist areas of the southern islands. On the same day, the temperature in Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, could be in the mid-30s, while the Maspalomas region could be above 40 degrees Celsius.
That's why, on very hot days, many tourists from the south of the island find themselves in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria escaping the heatwave and seeking relief in the cultural, leisure, and dining options offered in places like Vegueta or Las Canteras. In Las Canteras, you can also enjoy this climate, which is also ideal for the beach, where you can practice various sports on the sand or in the sea.
In winter, due to the influence of the trade winds, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria maintains the same temperature as in spring. This good climate attracts many expatriates and peninsulars, who even decide to make Las Palmas, one of the most beautiful cities in Gran Canaria, their home.
Tourism
For Asian tourists, visiting Las Palmas, the capital, can be fun because you can walk around without seeing the sun. Las Canteras beach is ideal for families with children looking for summer sun, as it's not overcrowded and the kids are happy on the beach. Locals tend to be more cautious: they talk about the advantages of the "donkey's belly" (a local term for a low-lying area) or rely on the arrival of good weather in September and October. Some tourists from mainland Spain choose this urban area, and when they want intense sun, they go to Agaete or Meloneras. For example, in Meloneras, part of the Lopesan tourist area is also used for shopping in malls with competitive prices.