Climate Change Delivered a Scorching August in Fuerteventura

Extreme temperatures were recorded across almost the entire island, with a peak of 43.7 °C in Tiscamanita.

The heat that accompanied August is completely outside the usual seasonal averages and, pending confirmation, could be the warmest since systematic measurements began.

Extreme Heat Across the Island

• Temperatures of 40 °C or higher were reached or exceeded at 8 of the 14 island weather stations (≈ 57 %).
• 93 % of stations recorded 35 °C, and 100 % reached 30 °C.
• The highest reading was 43.7 °C in Tiscamanita (Tuineje). Other notable measurements:
  • 42.3 °C in Pájara
  • 42.1 °C in Betancuria
  • 41.9 °C in Antigua
  • 41 °C in Tarajalejo

“The high temperatures were accompanied by 20 days of calima, creating a suffocating feeling, especially for the elderly and the sick.”

Lack of Trade Winds

The retreat of the Azores anticyclone from its area of influence—due to the strength of the Saharan ridge—prevented the trade winds from reaching the islands as they normally would, exacerbating the heat.

Global warming is driving very hot summers on the islands, with altered wind patterns and humidity levels that push temperatures beyond typical summer limits.

• 30–40 years ago, average maximum summer temperatures did not exceed 33 °C.
• Today, averages are above 38 °C.