canary islands temperature drop heat relief

Relief in sight: Temperatures to drop in Canary Islands

Temperature drop on the way for the Canary Islands

The Canary Islands are facing a shift in the weather after several days marked by high temperatures. The State Meteorological Agency (Aemet) is forecasting a generalised drop in temperatures this Friday across the Peninsula and the Archipelagos, with the decrease expected to be particularly noticeable in the peaks of the more mountainous islands. This thermal relief arrives after an episode of intense heat that has affected a large part of Spain, leaving temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius in many areas of the country.

Although the archipelago has not been immune to these high values, the forecast now points to somewhat milder and more manageable days ahead. However, the drop does not mean cold weather or a sudden shift to a cool climate. The Aemet warns that despite the decrease, temperatures will remain high for the time of year, meaning the weather will continue to feel warm in many areas.

What is behind the change?

The change is linked to the approach of a trough from the west, which will encourage the arrival of a less warm air mass. This atmospheric movement will help to moderate temperatures after the harshest days of the episode. In the Canary Islands, the drop will be especially noticeable at higher altitudes, where the decrease could be more pronounced. The peaks of islands such as Tenerife, La Palma, and Gran Canaria will be among the places where the thermal change will be most evident. In mid-altitude areas and inland regions, the atmosphere will also tend to be less hot than in previous days, although summer-like temperatures are still expected. On the coasts, the decrease is usually more moderate due to the influence of the sea and the trade winds.

Where will it be hottest on Friday?

The forecast for Friday points to a generalised drop in temperatures. The number of areas under an orange heat warning will be reduced, although high values will persist in several regions. The Aemet predicts that temperatures could exceed 36 degrees in the Guadalquivir, Guadiana, and Tagus valleys, as well as in other parts of the southern half of the peninsula. Along the banks of the Ebro, in the Balearic Islands, Lleida, and inland Murcia, temperatures could still reach 38-40 degrees.

In the Canary Islands, attention will be focused on the thermal drop in higher areas. The decrease will be notable on the peaks of the islands with the most rugged terrain, a sign that the warm air mass is beginning to retreat and that the episode is losing strength. In the archipelago, temperature changes are not always distributed evenly. Altitude, the orientation of each island, and the presence of the trade winds mean that the drop will be felt more in some areas than in others.

Peak and mid-altitude areas typically respond more clearly to changes in the air mass, while the coast may maintain more stable values. On northern slopes, low cloud associated with the trade winds can help to moderate the atmosphere, whereas in the south and in areas away from this influence, the heat may persist with greater intensity. Therefore, although the general trend is downward, how it feels will vary greatly between coastal towns, southern mid-altitude zones, inland areas, and peaks.

Heatwave conditions ending, but caution remains

From Friday onwards, and especially over the weekend, the conditions that strictly define a heatwave—based on geographical extent, duration, and intensity—will cease to be met. This does not mean high temperatures will disappear. The Aemet insists that the atmosphere will remain hot across much of Spain. In many areas, temperatures will exceed 35 degrees, and 38-40 degrees may still be reached in parts of central and eastern Spain, as well as the Balearic Islands. In the Canary Islands, the situation will be more manageable than in previous days, but it is still advisable to follow the usual precautions: drink water frequently, avoid prolonged exposure to the sun during the central hours of the day, protect children and the elderly, and reduce physical exertion during the hottest periods.

Potential rebound next week

The respite may not be final. According to the Aemet, a further rise in temperatures could occur at the beginning of next week, with a greater impact on eastern Spain and the Balearic Islands. For the Canary Islands, it will be necessary to monitor developments over the coming days to see if the drop becomes established or if warmer conditions return. For now, the forecast points to a fall in temperatures this Friday, especially visible in the higher areas of the archipelago, following an episode of heat that is beginning to lose its intensity.

Source

Scroll to Top