canary islands calima heatwave forecast june 2026

Calima and heatwave to hit the Canary Islands from Monday

Calima and heat to arrive in the Canary Islands

The Canary Islands will see an influx of Saharan dust from North Africa over the coming hours. The calima will be most noticeable at higher altitudes, but will leave the skies murky across the archipelago, coinciding with a rise in temperatures and strong gusts of wind in some areas.

The suspended dust will move from east to west, with the first islands to feel its effects being Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura, Lanzarote and La Graciosa, given their proximity to the African continent. During Monday afternoon, the calima will begin to spread to the rest of the archipelago, and by Tuesday it will be affecting all of the islands. The episode will continue until Wednesday, when the tongue of Saharan dust will start retreating southwards from early morning.

A change from the mild weather of recent days

The archipelago has so far been spared the first major heatwave of the summer, which has affected other parts of Spain and Europe. The influence of the Azores High and stronger trade winds have helped keep temperatures milder than on the mainland. In recent days, maximum temperatures across much of the Canary Islands have hovered around 25°C. However, that picture changes at the start of the week.

The rise in temperature will be most noticeable on Monday and Tuesday, particularly in areas on the leeward side of the easterly winds. In these spots, temperatures could exceed 30°C, while in parts of Gran Canaria that are more exposed to the heat, values will be significantly higher.

How the calima will develop

The shift in the configuration of the upper-level winds will favour the arrival of suspended dust from the Sahara. This type of event is more common in winter, especially between December and March, when easterly and south-easterly winds carry desert particles towards the Canary Islands. However, calima episodes can also occur in late spring and summer, usually associated with influxes of hot African air, and tend to be shorter-lived.

This time, the Saharan dust will leave the skies hazy, reduce visibility at times, and create a drier, murkier atmosphere. The calima will be more noticeable at altitude, though it may become moderate at times in the eastern islands. The episode is not expected to be particularly intense. The Air Quality Index will remain within acceptable levels, and the expected concentrations will stay below critical thresholds. As the calima will mainly be in the upper levels, no major problems are expected near the surface.

Health advice for vulnerable people

Nevertheless, the suspended dust can affect people who are sensitive, particularly those with respiratory or cardiovascular conditions. The particles can cause irritation to the eyes, nose and throat, as well as coughing or a feeling of breathlessness. The finest particles can penetrate the airways and aggravate conditions such as asthma, COPD, or certain cardiovascular diseases. For this reason, despite the low intensity of the episode, vulnerable people are advised to limit outdoor physical activity, keep windows closed if the air feels heavy, and wear an FFP2 mask if they need to go outside at times when dust levels are higher.

Heat warnings and temperature highs

The arrival of calima will coincide with a short-lived hot spell. Temperatures could be locally high in the southern half of Gran Canaria, where they may reach 38°C to 39°C. In other parts of the archipelago on the leeward side of the easterly winds, temperatures could also exceed 34°C. The heat will be most intense in mid-altitude areas, inland zones, and slopes facing south and west, where the hot, dry air may persist for longer hours.

The combination of heat, low humidity and wind calls for extreme caution, especially in mountainous areas and natural spaces, due to the increased risk of wildfires.

Wind warnings and travel advice

The State Meteorological Agency (Aemet) has activated yellow wind warnings due to the possibility of strong gusts. In La Gomera, the wind could locally reach 90 kilometres per hour. It will also blow strongly in the channel between Tenerife and Gran Canaria, with a north-easterly component and speeds of 50 to 60 kilometres per hour. These conditions may affect driving in exposed areas, outdoor activities, and sea conditions. During episodes of stronger trade winds, the most intense gusts tend to concentrate on slopes accelerated by the local terrain, especially in south-eastern and north-western areas of the larger islands.

Outlook until Wednesday

The tongue of Saharan dust will remain over the Canary Islands on Tuesday, affecting the entire archipelago. From Wednesday onwards, the dust mass will begin to move southwards, allowing for a gradual improvement in visibility and air quality. Until then, the atmosphere will remain hazier than usual, with whitish or yellowish skies and a higher thermal sensation in the areas affected by the temperature rise.

The general recommendation is to follow the official weather forecast, avoid physical exertion during the hottest hours of the day, and pay special attention to children, the elderly, people with respiratory conditions, and those who work outdoors.

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