Canary Islands Issue Heatwave Pre-Alert as Saharan Air Mass Approaches
The Canary Islands government has issued a heatwave pre-alert starting Wednesday as a Saharan air mass brings rising temperatures across the archipelago.
The Canary Islands government has issued a heatwave pre-alert for the entire region, starting at 11:00 a.m. this Wednesday, July 29. The warning follows forecasts from the State Meteorological Agency (Aemet) regarding a Saharan air mass moving across the islands.
The heat will be most intense on the eastern islands, particularly Gran Canaria. Temperatures there are expected to reach 34°C in inland and mid-altitude areas, climbing to 38°C by the weekend. Tenerife and Fuerteventura will also see a steady rise in temperatures, with inland highs forecast between 32°C and 33°C.
A low-altitude thermal inversion—occurring between 500 and 700 meters in the western islands—will make the heat feel drier and more intense at higher elevations. While some light haze is expected in the east, forecasters do not anticipate a heavy dust storm at ground level.
Authorities are closely monitoring the situation and may upgrade the alert level if conditions change. Emergency services are advising the public to stay hydrated, avoid direct sun during the hottest hours of the day, and take extra care of those most vulnerable to the heat.