The village of Tasarte on Gran Canaria recorded temperatures of 44.4 degrees on Sunday and 43.8 degrees on Monday: the highest temperatures in all of Spain. The country's three warmest measuring points were all located on the island, which is currently under a red weather alert.

Those staying on Gran Canaria this summer have no reason to envy the rest of Spain. On Monday at 3:10 PM, the Spanish weather service AEMET measured a temperature of 43.8 degrees in the hamlet of Tasarte, in the municipality of La Aldea de San Nicolás. This made the tiny village on the west coast the hottest spot in the country once again. On Sunday, temperatures in the same village had already risen to 44.4 degrees, making Tasarte the warmest place in Spain for two consecutive days.

Top three hottest locations on one island

Remarkably, all three of Spain's highest temperatures on Monday were recorded on Gran Canaria:

1. Tasarte: 43.8 °C
2. Lomo de Pedro Alfonso (San Bartolomé de Tirajana): 42.2 °C
3. Agüimes: 41.2 °C

According to Canarian broadcaster RTVC, the entire southern, eastern, and western sides of the island, along with the mountain peaks, were under aviso rojo – AEMET's highest alert level.

This extreme weather is not new for Tasarte. The area has previously suffered from wildfires caused by prolonged heat and strong winds. Other parts of the Canary Islands also experienced extreme temperatures: Las Tirajanas came close to the critical mark at 39 degrees, and on Tenerife, Llano de Los Loros (San Cristóbal de La Laguna) recorded 38.5 degrees.

Why is it so hot on Gran Canaria?

The intense heat in the Canary Islands fits into a summer that has been scorching the entire country for months. Spain has already experienced three official heatwaves this season, and the region is currently in the middle of the canícula – Spain's official midsummer period (lasting until August 15) which typically brings the hottest days of the year.

What further impacts Gran Canaria are its local wind patterns. Warm air flowing down from the mountains heats up even further in inland valleys like Tasarte, even as other parts of the country begin to cool down slightly.

Tropical nights and orange alerts

It is not just hot during the day; temperatures barely drop at night either. Across Gran Canaria and Tenerife, temperatures did not fall below 20 degrees anywhere (with the exception of Izaña and Teror). This means the island experienced another noche tropical (tropical night).

For Tuesday, AEMET maintains an orange alert for the southern, eastern, and western flanks of Gran Canaria, as well as the western side and mountain peaks of La Palma, with expected highs exceeding 37 degrees.

Advice for holidaymakers

Are you currently staying in the Canary Islands? Keep the following tips in mind:

• Avoid peak heat: Stay out of the sun as much as possible between 12:00 PM and 8:00 PM.
• Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water throughout the day.
• Protect your smartphone: In extreme heat, phones can overheat, slow down, or shut off completely just when you need navigation or weather updates.
• Check local updates: Monitor current AEMET warnings and be aware of potential closures of hiking trails in high-altitude areas.