The Canary Islands are bracing for the most intense phase of a heatwave that has gripped the archipelago since midweek. Forecasts from the Agencia Estatal de Meteorología (Aemet) indicate temperatures could reach or exceed 39°C in Gran Canaria, with some areas potentially surpassing 40°C. Tenerife is also set for a surge in heat, with highs of up to 37°C, particularly in southeastern districts. Aemet’s warning service publishes alerts by territory and hazard. Its station network records hourly observations, along with daily extremes and accumulated values, providing the official structure for tracking conditions across the islands. Gran Canaria is under the most severe warnings.
In Gran Canaria, the heat will be most pronounced on Sunday and Monday, especially in the highlands and on the eastern, southern and western slopes. Localized spikes above 40°C are possible in the Tejeda basin and the mid-altitude zones of the southeast and west. Nighttime temperatures are also expected to remain uncomfortably high, staying at or above 28°C in these areas. Tenerife’s metropolitan area will be under an orange alert, with temperatures peaking at 37°C before easing slightly at the start of the week. Elsewhere in the archipelago, Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, La Palma, La Gomera and El Hierro, along with parts of Tenerife and Gran Canaria, will see highs of 34°C to 35°C and occasional peaks of up to 37°C. The sharp contrasts between coastal and inland areas, as well as higher elevations, reflect the islands’ varied terrain and microclimates.
The heat was already being felt on Saturday morning, when thermometers in La Aldea de San Nicolás (Gran Canaria) hit 37.4°C, with Teror and Tejeda close behind. Tenerife’s northern airport recorded 36.9°C, while Agulo in La Gomera reached 36.7°C. Aemet’s observation service provides hourly readings and daily extremes from its station network, including airport stations in the Canaries. The heatwave is expected to persist at least until Tuesday or Wednesday. Some microclimates, including Tasarte in Gran Canaria and Las Mercedes in Tenerife, could experience elevated temperatures into Thursday. Aemet’s regional delegate, Víctor Quintero, said the event’s duration and intensity, along with its broad reach, make it likely to be classified as the first official heatwave of the year for the Canary Islands.
Authorities have responded with a range of emergency measures. The Canary Islands government has activated maximum heat and wildfire-risk alerts, particularly for the western islands and Gran Canaria. All outdoor activities that could spark fires are strictly prohibited, including barbecues and bonfires, along with gas stoves and machinery that produces sparks. Fireworks in risk zones are also banned, as is smoking in recreational areas, campsites, trails and public forest infrastructure. In Tenerife, restrictions have been raised to level 2. They include a ban on staying in recreational and camping areas, as well as on motor vehicle access to forest tracks. The measures come amid a summer in which the archipelago has already faced a regional heat pre-alert: the General Directorate of Emergencies declared one from 11:00 on 29 July, with Gran Canaria expected to be particularly affected and forecasts then approaching 38°C.
Residents are urged to take precautions: avoid direct sun exposure during peak hours, stay in cool or air-conditioned spaces, ventilate homes at night, wear light-colored clothing, drink water frequently and eat hydrating foods. They should also avoid alcohol and strenuous activity during the hottest periods. The General Directorate of Emergencies stresses that these measures help prevent heat-related health issues and reduce fire risk.
This extreme weather event follows a pattern of increasingly frequent and severe heatwaves in Spain, as highlighted in recent coverage of temperature trends and rainfall uncertainty for August in the national weather outlook. The current episode shows the Canary Islands’ vulnerability to heat stress and wildfire hazards, especially during the summer months. Local authorities continue to monitor conditions and may extend restrictions if they do not improve.
The Canary Islands’ mountainous terrain and microclimates often lead to impressive temperature variations over short distances. Heatwaves in the region can affect public health, as well as agriculture and tourism, sectors critical to the islands’ economy. High daytime and nighttime temperatures increase the risk of heat exhaustion, particularly among vulnerable populations. As climate patterns evolve, such extreme events are expected to become more common, making preparedness and rapid response measures increasingly impressive for the region.
