The Canary Islands government has issued a state of pre-alert

Liv Clarke Tourism writer and Liam Ryder Digital Production Editor

01:23, 18 Sep 2025

FUENTEVENTURA, LAS PALMAS CANAR, SPAIN - DECEMBER 27: An airplane lands at Fuerteventura airport with calima, on 27 December, 2022 in Fuerteventura, Las Palmas, Canary Islands, Spain. Today's wind caused more than 125 incidents, such as falling tree branches, palm trees, light poles or Christmas decorations, all of them without causing personal injuries. During the early morning there were more than 50 incidents, and so far this morning there have been more than 70. These incidents are mostly related to obstacles on the road, landslides, falling tree branches and cornices, but also to problems with power lines. (Photo By Europa Press via Getty Images)Visitors to the Canary Islands have been issued a warning over this week’s weather(Image: Europa Press News, Europa Press via Getty Images)

Visitors to the Canary Islands are warned over an unusual phenomena that causes a risk to health. British tourists in the Spanish tourist hotspots have been told to do five things as dust clouds and soaring temperatures led to authorities declaring a state of pre-alert.

Aemet, Spain’s meteorological service, has issued yellow alerts for the entire chain of islands. It means all of La Palma, El Hierro, La Gomera, Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, and Fuerteventura are affected. Alerts for ‘calima’, where Saharan dust sweeps across from Western Africa, remain active throughout all islands.

Aemet cautions that visibility could drop to 3,000m “mainly affecting south-facing midlands and peaks, and increasingly affecting low-lying areas and, locally, coastal areas.” Forecasters predict temperatures could climb to 36C in Gran Canaria, with a peak of 37C “not ruled out”, reports the Manchester Evening News.

The remaining islands are anticipated to reach up to 34C, particularly in south and south-west facing regions. Temperature alerts continue until 8pm on Tuesday, September 16, whilst the calima warnings persist until midnight on Wednesday, September 17.

A couple walk across a bridge in a cloud of red dust in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, SpainThe calima can exacerbate existing health conditions(Image: AP Photo/Andres Gutierrez)

The Canary Islands administration has cautioned that the calima may present dangers for individuals with specific medical conditions and has announced a state of pre-alert, which took effect at 10pm on Monday, September 15. The statement read: “Haze is likely to occur, especially in mid- and high-altitude areas, in varying amounts.

“It could reduce visibility and could cause or worsen health problems for people with chronic and/or respiratory illnesses.” The public are urged to take the following five precautions:.

  • Attempt to keep doors and windows shut, and avoid venturing outdoors if you suffer from chronic respiratory illnesses.
  • Ensure you have your regular medication.
  • Stay hydrated and avoid dry environments.
  • Refrain from strenuous physical exercise while this situation persists.
  • If you feel unwell, consult your doctor.

In these conditions, visibility is significantly reduced. If you are driving, exercise extra caution, switch on your lights, and reduce your speed. For more information, call 012.

According to AEMET forecasts, the haze is set to persist until Friday, September 19. For Thursday, September 18, its forecast states: “The storm will affect south-facing midlands and peaks, but will increasingly affect low-lying areas and, locally, coastal areas.

Yellow weather warnings issued for the Canary Islands for dust clouds and hot temperatures, SeptembeAll of the Canary Islands will be affected this week by the warnings(Image: aemet.es)

For Friday, it says: “Particularly affected on south-facing slopes. In low-lying areas, concentrations exceeding 150 micrograms per cubic meter may occur.”

The warnings over dust are expected to end at midnight on Friday. The AEMET full forecast for the area says to expect “intervals of medium and high cloud cover.”

It continued: “Thunderstorms are possible in the mountainous islands, with occasional showers in inland areas, especially Tenerife. Calima (a type of haze) is expected, especially in the south- and west-facing midlands of the western islands, and to a lesser extent on northern slopes, lowland areas, and coasts.

“Temperatures will remain relatively unchanged. 34C may be reached below 1,300 m, especially in the south- and west-facing midlands, as well as inland areas and the southeastern slopes of Lanzarote and Fuerteventura.

“In the southern midlands of Gran Canaria, temperatures may reach 36C. Light to moderate winds from the east, generally light from the south at peak levels.”