The contrasting weather has become evident this Thursday in Tenerife. While the Canary Islands are experiencing a new episode of high temperatures and dust, the cameras of the Canary Islands Astrophysics Institute (IAC), at the Teide National Park Observatory, have captured the development of a storm with a probability of hail and locally intense rainfall, as shared by Meteo Tenerife.
This phenomenon occurs within a context of heat alerts issued by the regional government for Gran Canaria, Tenerife, Fuerteventura, and Lanzarote. Meanwhile, La Palma, La Gomera, and El Hierro remain under pre-alert status as part of the Specific Emergency Plan of the Canary Islands for Adverse Meteorological Phenomena (PEFMA).
Temperatures Approaching 40 Degrees
The State Meteorological Agency (Aemet) reported that this Thursday saw temperatures rise to 39.5ºC in Vallehermoso (La Gomera) and La Aldea de San Nicolás (Gran Canaria), the highest temperatures recorded for the day. In other areas of the islands, thermometers ranged between 34 and 37ºC in Gran Canaria, Tenerife, Lanzarote, and Fuerteventura, and between 30 and 34ºC in La Gomera, La Palma, and El Hierro.
Dust and Oppressive Nights
The heat episode is accompanied by suspended dust, which has reduced visibility to around 3,000 metres, affecting the entire archipelago, particularly impacting the highlands and midlands of the south.
Minimum temperatures also remain unusually high, exceeding 24ºC in numerous areas of Gran Canaria and Tenerife, as well as in specific locations across the other islands, leading to oppressive nights for the residents.
Storm in El Teide, probably with hail and locally intense rain.
Webcam @IAC_Astrofisica pic.twitter.com/GME7ThQxoc
— Meteo_Tenerife (@tenerife_meteo) September 18, 2025
Risk of Storms in the Highlands
While extreme heat and dust are the main features, Aemet does not rule out the possibility of showers and occasional storms in the highlands, as seen in El Teide. Winds are blowing from the east and northeast, with high-intensity gusts in exposed areas.
The coexistence of contrasting phenomena, such as extreme heat and storms at altitude, reflects the complexity of this meteorological episode impacting the entire archipelago.
Closure of Five Educational Centres in Tenerife
Four secondary education institutes in Tenerife, namely Andrés Bello, El Chapatal, Benito Pérez Armas, and Las Veredillas, along with the Fernando Estévez School of Art and Design, will conduct remote classes tomorrow, Friday, September 19, following the authorisation from the Territorial Directorate of Education to transition to non-presential learning for the entire day.
