September Heat Refuses to Leave the Canary Islands as Summer Seems to Stretch On
The Canary Islands have started September with temperatures well above normal, with Lanzarote also experiencing another spell of summer-like weather.
For anyone arriving in Lanzarote expecting September to bring the first signs of cooler weather, there is little evidence of autumn just yet.
The Canary Islands have entered September with unusually high temperatures, and new figures from the State Meteorological Agency, AEMET, show just how warm the start of the month has been.
While the most striking historical comparisons have been recorded in Santa Cruz de Tenerife and Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Lanzarote has certainly been feeling the heat too.
One of the warmest September spells in decades
On 2 September, Santa Cruz de Tenerife recorded a maximum temperature of 30.6°C. That was around 2.5°C above the usual September maximum for the city.
Historical analysis puts that temperature towards the very warm end of the September record, with only around 9% of September days in the available record being hotter.
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria also experienced unusually high temperatures, reaching 29.3°C, approximately 2.1°C above its normal September figure.
It is worth stressing that this does not mean 30.6°C is a record high for the Canary Islands. The significance is that these temperatures are unusually high for September, when temperatures would traditionally be expected to start becoming a little less intense.
And what about Lanzarote?
Lanzarote hasn’t been left out of the September heat.
Official AEMET observations from Lanzarote Airport show a maximum of 31.1°C on 2 September, following 30.7°C on 1 September. The island then recorded 30.2°C on 3 September.
For comparison, AEMET’s standard climate figures for Lanzarote Airport put the average September daily maximum at 28.6°C, with an average September temperature of 24.7°C.
So although Lanzarote’s recent temperatures shouldn’t be described as a 75-year September record, 31°C in early September is certainly warmer than the island’s long-term September average.
And for tourists sitting beside the pool or enjoying a day at one of Lanzarote’s beaches, the distinction probably isn’t particularly important — it simply feels like summer is continuing.
Why does September still feel like summer?
There is a bigger story behind these individual temperatures.
Research and long-term meteorological data show that Spain’s summer season has become considerably longer. According to AEMET data referenced in Spain’s National Climate Change Adaptation Plan, the average summer has lengthened by almost five weeks compared with the beginning of the 1980s.
That doesn’t mean every day of September will now be hot, or that Lanzarote will never experience cooler weather during the month.
Instead, it reflects a broader change in the pattern of temperatures, with periods of summer-like conditions increasingly extending beyond the traditional summer months.
For the Canary Islands, where mild winters and warm summers have always been part of the attraction, that changing pattern is particularly noticeable.
Lanzarote’s September weather remains a major attraction
For holidaymakers, there is undoubtedly a positive side to the continuing warmth.
September is already one of the most popular times to visit Lanzarote, particularly for people looking for reliable sunshine without the peak-season crowds of July and August.
Sea temperatures remain pleasant, evenings are generally comfortable and there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy the island’s beaches, swimming pools, restaurants and outdoor attractions.
But the increasingly warm conditions are also something residents and visitors need to take seriously.
AEMET data shows that Lanzarote’s September climate is normally warm rather than scorching, meaning temperatures above 30°C can still represent a significant amount of heat.
Humidity can make the heat feel stronger
Temperature isn’t the only factor determining how hot it feels.
Recent reports from across the Canary Islands have highlighted humidity levels approaching 85% in some areas. High humidity can make warm temperatures feel considerably more uncomfortable because the body has greater difficulty cooling itself through evaporation.
This is particularly relevant to anyone spending several hours outdoors.
For visitors enjoying Lanzarote holidays, the usual advice still applies: drink plenty of water, take breaks from direct sunshine and be sensible about strenuous activities during the hottest part of the day.
Calima is another factor to watch
There has also been a calima episode affecting the eastern Canary Islands.
The Government of the Canary Islands issued a pre-alert for calima covering Lanzarote, La Graciosa, Fuerteventura and Gran Canaria from 3 September. Advice included staying hydrated, avoiding strenuous exercise during the episode and taking extra care when visibility is reduced.
Calima can produce hazy skies and dusty conditions, sometimes making the temperature feel even more oppressive.
For drivers, reduced visibility can also become an issue, particularly when dust concentrations increase.
Is summer really getting longer in Lanzarote?
The latest spell of September heat is just one small part of a much bigger long-term picture.
Climate data across Spain shows that summers are becoming longer and warmer, with the change particularly noticeable in the number of hotter days and warmer nights.
That doesn’t mean Lanzarote is suddenly going to become a dramatically different climate. The island’s position in the Atlantic, trade winds and surrounding ocean continue to moderate temperatures.
However, the trend does mean that the traditional idea of summer gradually disappearing as September arrives may become less reliable.
For Lanzarote residents, this can mean longer periods of air conditioning, greater demand for cooling and more attention to heat during unusually warm spells.
For tourists visiting Lanzarote in September, meanwhile, it can mean exactly what many people are hoping for — plenty of sunshine and temperatures that still feel very much like summer.
