Across all the Canary Islands, the Spanish Meteorological Agency AEMET has issued a yellow alert for rain on Wednesday. The islands affected are La Palma, Tenerife, Gran Canaria, El Hierro, La Gomera, Fuerteventura and Lanzarote; the warning is in force from 11.00 am to 7.59 pm on each of these islands. On La Palma, Tenerife and Gran Canaria it covers the entire island; on the others it does not.
Meteorologists believe that up to 15 millimetres of rainfall in an hour is possible; according to the AEMET, the probability of this is between 40 and 70 per cent. The agency states that the rain will fall mainly in the interior of the islands. In an earlier rain warning, parts of Tenerife were under an orange alert, whereas this time the meteorological office is issuing a yellow alert at most.
La Palma is the only island with two warnings. In addition to the one issued on Wednesday, a yellow warning will also be in force there again on Friday, across the whole island from 4.00 am to 2.59 pm, with the same rainfall and probability figures as on Wednesday. The authorities expect the south and west of the island in particular to be affected.
Lanzarote: A strong Calima is further worsening air quality
As well as rain, Saharan dust is expected on Lanzarote on Wednesday. The Calima forecast by Teneriffa News is based on the Copernicus CAMS model and on measurements from the European Environment Agency, and predicts severe Calima conditions there. The daily average concentration of particulate matter (PM10) will reach 53 micrograms per cubic metre, resulting in poor air quality. A Calima event has already followed a warning of this kind once before, namely when Calima caused air quality to deteriorate on three islands following an orange-level rain warning.
The fine dust irritates the eyes and airways. People with asthma, those with other respiratory or heart conditions, the elderly and pregnant women should avoid physical exertion outdoors. Exposure can be reduced by keeping windows and doors closed and drinking plenty of fluids.
Rain and thunderstorms can trigger flash floods in the higher elevations of La Palma and Gran Canaria. The water then rushes down through the barrancos – the islands‘ ravines – all the way to the coast. You should therefore take particular care in and around the barrancos.
How strong is the Calima today? Calima forecast and readings for the Canary Islands
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…
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