The Canary Islands are heading into a cloudier and slightly cooler weekend, although the intense September heat has not disappeared completely and temperatures will remain above 30°C across many areas.
Saturday will bring widespread medium and high cloud, lingering calima and a gradual reduction in temperatures, particularly across the eastern islands and Tenerife.
However, southern and inland Gran Canaria could still reach or exceed 34°C, while temperatures above 30°C remain possible across large parts of the rest of the archipelago.
The change follows an unusual Friday in Tenerife when rain fell across parts of the south of the island despite temperatures remaining exceptionally high. Showers developed in some areas as atmospheric instability increased, bringing a noticeable change from the predominantly hot, dry and hazy conditions of previous days.
The unsettled skies continue this weekend, although widespread heavy rain is not expected. There is a possibility of occasional light precipitation from the medium and high cloud, particularly around the more mountainous islands, while a few large drops cannot be ruled out around Las Cañadas del Teide.
Strong winds in Gran Canaria
Wind will be another significant feature of the weekend, particularly in Gran Canaria.
The Canary Islands Government has activated a wind pre-alert for the east, south and west of Gran Canaria, as well as La Gomera.
The measure came into force at 9:00pm last night (Friday), with northerly winds capable of producing gusts of up to 70km/h, particularly on southern slopes and through ravines.
Winds will be strongest during the early part of Saturday before gradually weakening during the morning.
Outlook for the weekend in each of the islands:
Tenerife
Saturday will be cloudier than recent days, with medium and high cloud and lingering calima. Temperatures will begin to fall but could still exceed 30°C in southern areas.
There remains a possibility of isolated large drops of rain around Las Cañadas del Teide, although prolonged rainfall is not expected.
Conditions should become somewhat cooler on Sunday as the exceptional heat continues to lose intensity.
Gran Canaria
Gran Canaria remains the hottest of the main islands this weekend, particularly across inland and southern areas.
Temperatures could reach or exceed 34°C on Saturday, despite the overall cooling trend.
Strong northerly winds are an additional concern, with gusts potentially reaching 70km/h across southern slopes and ravines during the early part of the weekend.
Sunday should bring a further slight reduction in temperatures, although southern areas are still expected to remain hot.
Lanzarote
Temperatures will fall slightly on Saturday, with highs of around 32°C and overnight lows around 22°C.
High cloud is expected initially before skies become clearer during the afternoon. Northerly winds will be moderate, with gusts potentially reaching around 50km/h.
Sunday is expected to become cloudier again, with lighter north-easterly winds and similar temperatures.
Fuerteventura
Fuerteventura should also experience a gradual reduction in temperatures, with coastal highs around 29°C on Saturday.
Conditions will range from partly cloudy to sunny intervals during the morning before cloud increases later in the day.
Sunday will remain warm, with temperatures around 29°C in coastal areas and generally cloudier skies.
What about Sunday?
The overall trend on Sunday is towards slightly lower temperatures and less intense heat, although it will remain warm for late September.
Cloud will continue across parts of the islands and some calima may remain suspended in the atmosphere, while winds should generally become lighter than during the first part of Saturday.
The biggest change compared with the middle of the week will therefore be the gradual retreat of the extreme temperatures, rather than an abrupt return to cooler autumn weather.
