HOLIDAYMAKERS rushing off to the Canary Islands this week for an August break are being urged to exercise caution after a rare red weather alert was issued for extreme heat in the archipelago.

The red warning, indicating ‘extraordinary danger’, is in place from 11am until 8pm local time on Monday and covers the eastern, southern and western areas of Gran Canaria.

That includes popular tourist resorts including Maspalomas, Puerto Rico and Arguineguin.

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According to state meteorological agency Aemet, temperatures could soar past 40C – even in areas of mid-to-high altitude. 

Popular southern areas of Tenerife will be placed under a lower level orange alert, with the mercury forecast to rise to around 37C.

Meanwhile, the remaining islands of Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, El Hierro, La Palma and La Gomera face a yellow weather warning – the lowest level in Aemet’s traffic light alert system.

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Authorities are urging residents and visitors to take extra care during the hottest part of the day, especially those who are elderly or have underlying health conditions.

Back on the mainland, an orange alert is in place on the Costa del Sol for the Sol y Guadalhorce region, which covers several popular expat locations including Malaga, Marbella, Fuengirola and Estepona.

According to Aemet, dry ‘terral’ winds are expected to push the temperature up to 39C on the coast, with the possibility of scorching 41C highs further inland.

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The terral phenomenon, often dubbed ‘hairdryer winds’ by locals, occurs when hot air from inland is funnelled through mountain passes towards the coast, creating furnace-like conditions that can make life unbearable, even near the sea.

The winds can be particularly fierce in the Malaga region, pushing temperatures up and sapping the air dry from humidity.

The latest episode could last until Friday, forecasters say, although it is expected to be less intense and persistent compared to last summer.

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Elsewhere, Aemet have also issued an orange alert for Vega del Segura in Murcia, where highs of 40C are expected, with yellow warnings in place for much of Almeria and Alicante.

Further north, volatile conditions are expected in Aragon and inland Catalunya, with orange alerts for stormy weather covering Zaragoza, Teruel and Huesca.

Violent thunderstorms could be accompanied by heavy rainfall, while alerts for extreme heat remain in place with the mercury set to linger at around 36C, making for an uncomfortable day.

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