Today is likely to be the hottest day of the year on Lanzarote as a cocktail of conditions combine to create a real scorcher.
Those three factors are the existing high temperatures, which yesterday reached 40.8 degrees in Tinajo at 4pm and 39.7 degrees in Tías at 5pm. Inland areas were the worst-affected by the heat, with temperatures around five to eight degrees cooler in coastal areas and the north.
The second factor is a calima (suspended dust in the air) reaching the island overnight and this morning from the African continent, reducing visibility to 3,000 metres and causing uncomfortable conditions, especially for those with respiratory problems.
The final factor is the absence of the usual breeze that fans the island. This afternoon, AEMET is predicting barely a breath of wind for the island. As a result, maximum temperatures of up to 44 degrees are predicted for certain zones on the island. If this figure is reached, it will be the highest temperature ever registered on Lanzarote.
The better news us that the normal alisio breeze will start to return in the evening, lowering temperatures a little. An orange heat alert and a yellow calima alert remain in place for Monday, but forecasts are for more normal weather from Tuesday – bearing in mind that “normal” for Lanzarote in August still means very hot.
Citizens are advised to take all necessary precautions, stay hydrated, jump into the sea, hide under a palm tree or do whatever it takes to stay cool and safe. Those with respiratory conditions should keep doors and windows closed, and if you’re thinking of strenuous activities such as hiking up a volcano, think again.
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