The Canary Islands are heading into another period of increasingly hot weather, with health authorities activating orange and yellow warnings from Sunday as temperatures rise across the archipelago.
Temperatures are already climbing today, Saturday, but the heat is expected to become more significant over the coming days, prompting the Canary Islands Directorate General of Public Health to activate its MeteoSalud warning system.
From Sunday, an orange Level 2 health warning will apply to parts of Tenerife, Las Palmas and Telde in Gran Canaria, and across the whole of Lanzarote.
Fuerteventura will be placed under a yellow Level 1 warning.
Importantly, these are health warnings rather than conventional weather alerts. They are based on the potential effects that sustained high temperatures can have on the population, particularly vulnerable people and those exposed to the sun for extended periods.
The orange level indicates a moderate risk for vulnerable people, including those aged over 65 or with health factors that increase their susceptibility to heat. It can also represent a risk to the wider population when people spend prolonged periods exposed to high temperatures.
Health authorities have not yet specified how long the warnings will remain in place, as this will depend on the evolution of temperatures over the next few days.
Temperatures set to rise further
Conditions this weekend mark the beginning of another spell of hotter weather, rather than its peak.
In Lanzarote, for example, temperatures are forecast to reach around 31°C today before increasing to approximately 34°C on Sunday.
In Tenerife, temperatures are forecast to reach around 31°C today, rising to 32°C on Sunday and potentially 34°C on Monday. Forecasts currently indicate that they could climb further during the middle of next week.
Calima is also expected to return from Monday, particularly affecting the eastern islands and higher areas of the more mountainous islands.
Although conditions at the coast can be noticeably cooler than inland areas, anyone planning outdoor activities over the next few days is advised to take the increasing temperatures into account.
Health officials recommend avoiding prolonged exposure to the sun during the hottest part of the day, drinking plenty of water and, where possible, rescheduling strenuous outdoor activities.
Particular attention should be paid to babies and young children, pregnant women, people aged over 65 and anyone with existing respiratory, cardiovascular or kidney conditions.
People working outdoors, taking part in sport, hiking or spending extended periods sightseeing are also advised to take additional precautions.
Despite the strengthening northeast winds affecting some coastal areas, AEMET currently has no coastal weather warnings in force for the Canary Islands today.
The latest marine forecast indicates northeast winds becoming strong in exposed areas, with a north or northeast swell generally between one and two metres.
