The popular holiday islands of the Canaries are currently baking under the most intense phase of the latest heatwave, with maximum temperatures expected to reach or exceed 39C even in shaded areas. The State Meteorological Agency (AEMET) issued an orange alert for all islands on Saturday (August 9), with the government having updated its own maximum temperature alerts.

According to AEMET, the islands are facing a prolonged episode of extreme heat, accompanied by light calima, with the highest temperatures expected on Tenerife and Gran Canaria and around 36C on the other islands. The hottest conditions will be in inland areas, mid-altitudes, and higher zones, where night-time temperatures will remain uncomfortably high – rarely dropping below 25C and, in some places, possibly staying close to 30C. On Thursday (August 7), three towns in Gran Canaria recorded temperatures above 40, including La Aldea de San Nicolás, where the mercury hit a scorching 41.2C. In Tenerife, the highest temperature was 38.9C at Llano de los Loros in La Laguna.

The Canary Islands Health Service (SCS) has upgraded the health risk level for extreme temperatures in Fuerteventura and Lanzarote to red – the highest category – following updated forecasts from AEMET. This alert indicates a high risk to health, particularly for vulnerable groups, due to persistent, intense heat both during the day and at night. The active warnings are in place until at least Thursday, August 14, in areas across Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura and Lanzarote. Orange (medium risk) alerts are in place in Tenerife and La Palma, while several other municipalities across Tenerife, Gran Canaria and La Palma remain under yellow (low risk) warnings.

The Canary Islands Health Service is urging everyone drink water and other non-alcoholic fluids regularly, avoid caffeine, sugary soft drinks, energy drinks and alcohol, stay out of the sun during the hottest hours of the day (12 to 5pm) and to eat light meals such as salads, vegetables, and fruit, avoiding heavy or fatty foods.

Temperatures are expected to reach so high in Lanzarote on Saturday that the town councils of Haría, Teguise, and Yaiza have suspended all outdoor activities scheduled for this weekend, according to Canarian Weekly. The suspension particularly affects events planned between 11am and 7pm on August 9 and August 10, which is when the most intense heat is expected across the region.

Among the most notable cancellations is the popular Mercado Artesanal de Haría (Haría Craft Market), usually held on Saturdays, and a well-loved attraction for both tourists and residents. Also affected is the well-known Mercadillo de Teguise, one of the largest weekly markets in Lanzarote.

Mayor of Haría, Alfredo Villalba, stressed the importance of acting responsibly in the face of extreme weather: “This situation requires the utmost institutional responsibility. Above all else, the safety of our residents and visitors must come first.” He also appealed for public cooperation in following the guidance of emergency services and authorities.

Meanwhile, the Fuerteventura Cabildo has activated the Island Civil Protection Emergency Plan (PEIN) in response to an official alert for maximum temperatures issued by the Canary Islands Government’s Directorate General for Emergencies. The PEIN will be in a pre-emergency phase from midnight on Saturday until the alert is lifted. As part of the measures, all public events and Cabildo-organised activities in open spaces, or in venues without adequate air conditioning, are suspended between 9am and 9pm for the duration of the activation.

Health risk alerts in place in Canary Islands

Red Alert (High Risk)

• Gran Canaria: Highlands (Tejeda, Vega de San Mateo) and eastern, western and southern areas (Agüimes, Artenara, Ingenio, Mogán, San Bartolomé de Tirajana, La Aldea de San Nicolás, Santa Lucía de Tirajana, Telde, Valsequillo)

• Fuerteventura: Antigua, Betancuria, La Oliva, Pájara, Puerto del Rosario, Tuineje

• Lanzarote: Arrecife, Haría, San Bartolomé, Teguise, Tías, Tinajo, Yaiza

Orange Alert (Medium Risk)

• Tenerife: Metropolitan area (Candelaria, San Cristóbal de La Laguna, El Rosario, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Tacoronte, Tegueste)
• La Palma: Highlands (El Paso)

Yellow Alert (Low Risk)

Several municipalities across Tenerife, Gran Canaria and La Palma remain under a yellow warning.