Rain warning issued for the Canary Islands; one island particularly affected

The Spanish Meteorological Agency AEMET has issued a yellow rain warning for El Hierro and La Palma. On El Hierro, the warning has been in place since Monday at 5.00 pm and will end on Tuesday at 5.59 pm. The AEMET expects up to 15 millimetres rain to fall on El Hierro within an hour, with up to 60 millimetres possible within twelve hours. The agency puts the probability at between 40 and 70 per cent.

The whole of La Palma is under a yellow rain warning on Tuesday from midnight until 5.59 pm. Precipitation of up to 15 millimetres per hour is possible, particularly on the southern and eastern slopes of the island, although the AEMET estimates the probability of this occurring to be between 40 and 70 per cent.

On El Hierro, heavy showers may also be accompanied by thunderstorms. A rain warning for Lanzarote also forecast up to 15 millimetres of rainfall in an hour.

Severe Calima affects six Canary Islands

On Thursday, according to the Calima forecast, heavy Saharan dust will sweep across El Hierro, La Gomera, Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura and Lanzarote. The forecast is based on the Copernicus CAMS model and measurements from the European Environment Agency.

On Lanzarote and Fuerteventura, the daily average PM10 levels are 71 micrograms per cubic metre. A level of 68 micrograms is expected for Gran Canaria, whilst on Tenerife, La Gomera and El Hierro the figure is 56 micrograms in each case. This means that air quality is poor on all six islands. During a previous change in the weather, rain and waves were followed by a subsequent Calima in the Canary Islands.

As fine dust can irritate the eyes and respiratory tract, people with asthma, other respiratory or heart conditions, the elderly and pregnant women should avoid physical exertion outdoors. The effects can be reduced by keeping windows and doors closed and by drinking plenty of fluids.

In the higher elevations of La Palma, rain and thunderstorms can cause flash floods that flow down through the barrancos to the coast. People in and near these ravines should therefore exercise particular caution.

How strong is the Calima today? Calima forecast and readings for the Canary Islands