Calima haze and heat return to the Canary Islands this weekend

It’s set to get hot in the Canary Islands. There’ll also be a light Calima. The Spanish Meteorological Agency (AEMET) is forecasting rising maximum temperatures from Saturday onwards. Initially, Saharan dust will be present at high altitudes over Lanzarote and Fuerteventura, with the mid- and high-altitude areas of the other islands also affected by Sunday.

The Canary Islands are set for a summery start to the weekend. On Friday, the AEMET forecasts temperatures of 23 to 27 degrees in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 22 to 27 degrees in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, 22 to 28 degrees in Arrecife, 23 to 28 degrees in Puerto del Rosario, 23 to 27 degrees in San Sebastián de La Gomera between 23 and 27 degrees, in Santa Cruz de La Palma between 21 and 26 degrees, and in Valverde between 18 and 23 degrees.

From Saturday, temperatures will rise, more noticeably inland than on the coasts. On Sunday, the Calima will then be affecting the whole of the Canary Islands. The following is expected:

Calima over the Canary Islands: Saharan dust from Saturday

On Saturday, skies will be mostly slightly cloudy. Along the northern coasts of the mountainous islands, there will be some cloud early on, which will clear as the day progresses. On Lanzarote and Fuerteventura, patches of cloud will pass through at the start and end of the day.

Added to this is a light Calima at higher altitudes, which is expected to affect the two eastern islands in particular. The north-easterly wind will remain moderate, although strong gusts are expected on some slopes and in the interior of the eastern islands.

Sunday is set to be largely stable. Patchy cloud will form at lower altitudes in the north of the mountain islands, clearing around midday. Otherwise, according to meteorologists, the skies over the Canary Islands will be mostly clear or with just a few clouds.

Saharan dust is lingering at medium and high altitudes, whilst temperatures are set to rise slightly further. The wind is light to moderate, blowing from the north-east, and predominantly from the east on the mountain peaks.

This marks the second Calima episode of the month in the Canary Islands. According to the Aemet, the previous mild Calima had only come to an end on Thursday. It will resume from Saturday. At the start of the month, Saharan dust had the Canary Islands in its grip for a whole week, accompanied by a yellow alert for high waves. On that occasion too, the weather system moved across the islands from the east.