Residents and holidaymakers across the Canary Islands should finally feel some relief from the recent spell of intense heat today, Thursday, as temperatures begin to fall across much of the archipelago.
The Spanish State Meteorological Agency (AEMET) forecasts a noticeable drop in maximum temperatures, particularly across inland areas, the mid-altitudes and higher ground.
However, the hot spell has not completely disappeared.
The Canary Islands Government has reduced its maximum-temperature emergency status but is maintaining a pre-alert for Gran Canaria and Fuerteventura. The measure covers the whole of Fuerteventura and the summits and eastern, southern and western slopes of Gran Canaria.
For the rest of the Canary Islands, the Government has ended the maximum-temperature pre-alert.
The change marks a significant improvement after several days when exceptionally high temperatures affected large areas of the archipelago.
What will the weather be like in Tenerife today?
Tenerife will generally see partly cloudy or clear conditions, although the north-east is expected to be cloudier. AEMET says there is also a possibility of some light drizzle late in the day, particularly in northern areas.
Moderate north-easterly winds are expected, becoming strong at times around exposed south-eastern and western areas. Very strong gusts cannot be ruled out later in the day in some exposed locations.
Temperatures along the coast will remain fairly stable or fall slightly, while a more noticeable reduction is expected in the mid-altitudes and mountains.
General temperature range: Low of 22°C with high of 29°C.
Gran Canaria remains warmer
Gran Canaria is one of the two islands where the official heat pre-alert remains in place. Although temperatures are falling, around 30°C could still be reached in the southern and western mid-altitudes.
Northern areas will see more cloud, with sunny spells around the middle of the day, while the remainder of the island should be mostly clear.
There is also a chance of some weak drizzle in northern areas towards the end of the day.
General temperature range: Low of 23°C with high of 29°C.
Fuerteventura also remains on pre-alert
Fuerteventura is the other island where the Government's maximum-temperature pre-alert remains active.
Conditions should nevertheless be noticeably cooler, particularly inland, with AEMET forecasting maximum temperatures of around 28°C in Puerto del Rosario.
Temperatures could still locally exceed 30°C in the south-east of the island.
Lanzarote will enjoy some relief from the recent heat
Lanzarote will also enjoy some relief from the recent heat today, with temperatures expected to fall, particularly across inland areas.
AEMET forecasts mostly clear skies, although some cloud is expected in northern and western parts of the island during the early morning and again later in the day.
Temperatures will be noticeably lower than during the peak of the recent hot spell. Moderate north-easterly winds will continue, becoming stronger at times in exposed inland areas.
Unlike neighbouring Fuerteventura, Lanzarote is no longer included in the Canary Islands Government's maximum-temperature pre-alert, providing further confirmation that conditions are returning towards more typical September levels.
General temperature range: Low of 22°C with high of 28°C.
What about conditions at sea?
AEMET expects north, east or north-easterly winds of force five or six in parts of Canary Islands waters, producing moderate to rough seas. A northerly swell of around one to two metres is expected.
However, AEMET currently has no marine warnings in force for Canary Islands waters through Friday evening.
One important precaution does remain despite the cooler weather. The Canary Islands Government's latest emergency information maintains a forest-fire risk alert across Tenerife, La Palma, La Gomera and El Hierro, as well as specified areas of Gran Canaria.
So while Thursday represents a welcome change from the extreme temperatures of recent days, authorities are not yet treating the wider weather-related risk as completely over.
