Friday, June 27, 2008

Heatwave alert in Tenerife

Reports indicate that there's a Government pre-alert for a heatwave beginning tomorrow morning (June 28th) and lasting throughout the weekend. Temperatures of up to 34ºC are forecast in central and south Tenerife.

Commenters on the story in Spanish are asking, since when does 34º warrant an alert, as this is not really that hot for the time of year. The answer is, when the forecast (note: not the actual) is for temperatures equal to or above the 33 maximum and 23 minimum (the thresholds set for the Canary Islands) for one or two days. (The alert level would rise if the heatwave prolonged.)

More details on the alert levels and the recommendations can be found here.

If you're not accustomed to heat, we suggest you follow them.

According to the BBC, the temperature in Tenerife south at 12:00 GMT was 30°C (86°F), Wind Direction: S, Wind Speed: 3 mph, Relative Humidity: 40%.

The authorities are probably being over-cautious (rightly or wrongly), because of the recent fires in La Gomera and the massive fires in Tenerife and Gran Canaria last summer and, indeed have implemented a BBQ ban from today in forest recreation areas in the Corona Forestal, Anaga and Teno areas and, a ban on burning scrub or letting off fireworks in areas close to vegetation.

In addition, they're asking people not to go to the mountains while the alert is on and, if you do, stick to asphalted roads, avoiding forest tracks.