A drastic change in weather conditions will necessitate adjustments to daily routines for residents in the archipelago. The Directorate General of Emergencies of the Canary Islands Government has officially declared a pre-alert status due to the forecast of a significant rise in heat. This measure will apply to the entire autonomous territory and will be activated from 11:00 AM this Sunday, May 24, 2026, when temperatures are expected to begin a progressive and widespread ascent.
This resolution aligns with the latest predictive reports from the State Meteorological Agency (Aemet). Competent authorities have decided on the immediate implementation of the Canary Islands Specific Emergency Plan for Adverse Meteorological Phenomena Risks (PEFMA), a legal and operational framework designed to coordinate public resources and alert municipalities and island councils to thermal spikes that could compromise public safety.
The areas most affected by this heat episode are concentrated in the eastern province. Technical forecasts indicate thermometers will register unusually high values for this time of year, with temperatures expected to reach or even exceed 37ºC in Fuerteventura and Lanzarote, particularly in inland locations and the southern half of both islands where the influence of Saharan air masses is typically more pronounced.
Gran Canaria will also experience a complex climatic situation, with meteorological estimates suggesting maximum temperatures could easily reach and surpass 34ºC. This intense heat will primarily affect inland areas and the entire southern slopes of the island, with a notably higher risk on aspects directly facing south and west.
The western province will not be spared from this generalized thermal increase. In Tenerife and La Gomera, official warnings specify that temperatures could exceed 32ºC. This climatic anomaly will have a stronger impact on the midland and high summit areas, mainly affecting the southern slopes where insolation and stagnant warm air will elevate the perceived temperature.
Regarding the westernmost territories, El Hierro and La Palma, the Directorate General of Emergencies report indicates the atmospheric phenomenon will be slightly less intense compared to the central and eastern islands. Despite this reduced environmental severity, meteorological models warn that maximum temperatures could touch or briefly exceed 30ºC during the central hours of the day. This thermal reading will be specifically located in the midlands and summits of northeastern El Hierro, as well as along the entire western slope of La Palma.
Given the imminence of this moderate risk situation for public health, the Canarian Executive has made an explicit call for individual responsibility, urging all residents and vacationers to meticulously follow the behavioral guidelines and self-protection advice disseminated by emergency services. Key recommendations include maintaining constant hydration by drinking water, avoiding prolonged sun exposure during the central hours of the day, reducing strenuous physical exertion outdoors, and paying special attention to the most vulnerable population groups, such as the elderly, young children, and individuals with chronic respiratory or cardiovascular conditions.
