What changes for holidaymakers in the south of Lanzarote?
For holidaymakers in the southern resorts such as Playa Blanca or Puerto del Carmen, the main change is in the sky: instead of uninterrupted sunshine, cloudy spells are expected at times on Saturday and Sunday. According to La Voz de Lanzarote, the light calima in upper layers of the atmosphere is expected to ease from Saturday midday.
The maximum temperatures remain pleasantly warm. In the south and south-east, La Voz de Lanzarote gives Saturday highs of 28 degrees. On Sunday, temperatures in south-facing spots reach up to 27 degrees.
The wind will be moderate from the north to north-east and may be stronger on exposed stretches of coast in the afternoon. The swell is light. Beach visits therefore remain possible in principle, but may be interrupted by cloud and the odd spot of rain.
Where and when will rain fall over the weekend?
On Sunday, 18 October, occasional light rain is expected, especially in the afternoon and more likely in the north and east of Lanzarote. For La Graciosa, the odd spot of rain cannot be ruled out, as RTVC reports for Caleta de Sebo.
The available AEMET-based reports do not give specific rainfall amounts for this weekend. An earlier official situation assessment had mentioned a possible maximum of 15 mm in one hour and 40 mm in twelve hours for Lanzarote, but those figures do not apply to the current weekend.
Are there official warnings or restrictions?
For Saturday, 17 October, no official AEMET warnings for coastal hazards are mentioned in the available reports. For Sunday, too, there is no indication of active warning levels for Lanzarote or La Graciosa.
For residents, foreign nationals and visitors, no new fees, access restrictions, deadlines, closures or application procedures are apparent from the available reports. No official cancellation of tourist or public activities has been reported.
The easing calima should improve visibility and reduce dust levels. However, the available sources do not give specific air quality measurements or official health recommendations.
What was the weather like in the preceding days?
Before the weekend, a continental airflow from Africa had caused calima on Lanzarote and La Graciosa. The Canary Islands authorities did not expect significant dust concentrations at the surface.
The drop in temperatures on Saturday therefore represents a noticeable cooling.
The pre-alert was ended as soon as the triggering weather conditions no longer existed.
What should residents and visitors bear in mind?
The authorities recommend that, in changeable weather, drains, gullies and roof surfaces should be cleaned as a precaution. Vehicles should not be parked in barrancos or other drainage channels.
In heavy rain, the authorities advise particularly careful driving and checking brakes and tyres. For the current weekend, however, only light rain is forecast, not the intense showers of the pre-alert phase.
Because of changing cloud cover, possible light rain and a moderate northerly wind, outdoor activities, beach visits and excursions may be less pleasant at short notice. Flexible daily planning is therefore sensible.
What happens from Monday onwards?
For Monday, 19 October, the week begins with a probability of light and occasional rain, according to La Voz de Lanzarote. Temperatures will fall slightly.
The temperature level therefore remains similar to Sunday, but slightly cooler than Saturday.
For La Graciosa, the available AEMET-based reports do not provide detailed rainfall amounts or separate maximum and minimum values for each half of the day. The next relevant development is the further settling of the weather after the calima eases from Saturday midday.