Calima and heat shroud the Canary Islands as September begins

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From Monday, a Calima from the Sahara will sweep across the Canary Islands, reaching Fuerteventura and Lanzarote first.
In the east, temperatures will rise to as high as 30 degrees, and in the north-east of Tenerife to as high as 32 degrees.
By Wednesday, the Saharan dust will also reach Gran Canaria and Tenerife; it is not until Thursday that thicker clouds will return.

A Calima is set to sweep across the Canary Islands from Monday. Meteorologists at the Spanish Meteorological Agency (Aemet) are forecasting rising temperatures, Saharan dust in the air and occasional strong gusts of wind. The Calima is moving in from the Sahara and will therefore initially reach the eastern islands of Fuerteventura and Lanzarote at the start of the week.

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In the east of the Canary Islands, temperatures are set to rise to as high as 30 degrees. The Calima is then expected to move on by the middle of the week and reach the central islands by Wednesday at the latest.

There, on Gran Canaria and Tenerife, the new weather pattern is already set to bring rising temperatures from Monday. According to Aemet, temperatures could reach up to 32 degrees, particularly in the north-east of Tenerife, and even higher in the south and west of Gran Canaria.

The Canary Islands are expecting persistent Calima from Monday

Aemet’s weather forecasters report that maximum temperatures are unlikely to change much until at least Tuesday. It is expected to be partly cloudy in the west, whilst clear skies are forecast for the east. Visibility is expected to be poor in places due to the Calima. The dust in the air means there is a very low probability of precipitation. Minimum temperatures will change very little, whilst maximum temperatures will remain unchanged. A moderate north-easterly wind will bring a slight cooling effect.

On Wednesday, light cloud cover is likely across almost the whole region. Clear spells are expected from midday onwards. The light Calima will remain noticeable and, in particular, visible at higher altitudes. Temperatures will remain largely unchanged. The moderate north-easterly wind will also persist, particularly on the south-eastern and north-western slopes of the mountainous islands.

Heavier cloud cover is not expected until Thursday, when it may bring light showers in places. The light Calima in the east of the Canary Islands will persist. Temperatures of over 30 degrees are expected on the south-facing slopes of the islands. The wind will continue to blow at light to moderate strength from the north-east.

For exactly how the weather is developing, see our always up-to-date weather forecast for the Canary Islands. Below you can go straight to…