 |
| Gran Canaria weather forecast for July 2012: Scorchio! |
It's going to get very hot in the Canary Islands this week. Shade temperatures are expected to be in the high thirties: That means that on the beach or in the sun temperatures will be about 45 degrees Celsius, or even higher. It was 39.5 degrees in the shade today in La Aldea on the west coast and shade temperatures are expected to reach 42 degrees tomorrow (Tuesday 17).
Shade temperatures above about 35 degrees C trigger a yellow tempeerature alert in the Canary Islands. At around 38 degrees C the alert goes to orange (I've never found an exact definition: I think it depends on how long the high temperatures last).
Shade temperatures above about 35 degrees C trigger a yellow tempeerature alert in the Canary Islands. At around 38 degrees C the alert goes to orange (I've never found an exact definition: I think it depends on how long the high temperatures last).
Gran Canaria is on ORANGE alert today and again tomorrow. By Thursday the temperature will be lower but still around 35 degrees C; still hot by anybody's standards. By the weekend temperatures will be back at normal June levels of about 30 degrees C.
Heat waves in the Canary Islands are caused by huge masses of hot air moving off the Sahara Desert and heading out over the Atlantic Ocean. This is why they are almost always accompanied by dusty air, yellow skies and a hot, south wind. The phenomenon is known as Sirocco or Calima in the Canary Islands.
Heat waves in the Canary Islands are caused by huge masses of hot air moving off the Sahara Desert and heading out over the Atlantic Ocean. This is why they are almost always accompanied by dusty air, yellow skies and a hot, south wind. The phenomenon is known as Sirocco or Calima in the Canary Islands.
 |
| NASA image of Calima the Canary Islands |
As always when the temperatures get this high, drink plenty of water; at least half a litre per hour, more if you are active. Stay out of the sun during the hottest hours and apply sunscreen regularly. Children are particuilarly vulneravble during intense heat as they burn and dyhydrate faster than adults.
After the tragic deaths of two hikers in May this year, everyone is very aware of the dangers of going walking or running up in the mountains. You get heatsroke within an hour of being in the sun. Dyhydration causes walkers to become disorientated and clumsy and causes accidents. Please don't go walking in the hills this week as it is downright dangerous!
The good news about the heat is that scientific research has revealed that drinking a cold pint of beer rehydrates you faster than a cold pint of water. Who's round is it?
After the tragic deaths of two hikers in May this year, everyone is very aware of the dangers of going walking or running up in the mountains. You get heatsroke within an hour of being in the sun. Dyhydration causes walkers to become disorientated and clumsy and causes accidents. Please don't go walking in the hills this week as it is downright dangerous!
The good news about the heat is that scientific research has revealed that drinking a cold pint of beer rehydrates you faster than a cold pint of water. Who's round is it?
