British tourists heading to Spain have been hit by a crucial warning, as temperatures are tipped to soar this week. Weather forecasters have warned that temperatures could reach an astonishing 35C on the Canary Islands during the course of this week.
The abnormally hot weather will be accompanied by strong winds and an increased risk of forest fires.
The Spanish Met Office has issued yellow and orange warnings for strong winds, with gusts predicted to reach as high as 90km per hour in La Gomera.
The unseasonably hot weather is being caused by plumes of warm and dry air coming up from Africa.
Temperatures will start to rise on Tuesday, before sharply climbing on Wednesday and Thursday.
Day time temperatures are expected to hit the 30C mark and in some places could go as high as 35C.
The Canaries are already suffering from a drought and rainfall deficit, increasing fears that forest fires could break out at any time.
An alert for wildfires has been issued for Tuesday in Gran Canaria and then from tomorrow in Tenerife, La Palma, La Gomera, and El Hierro.
The State Meteorological Agency (AEMET) has also issued orange warnings for strong winds on three Canary Islands for Tuesday.
The East, South and West of Gran Canaria, as well as Lanzarote and La Gomera have all been included in the warnings.
Spanish meteorologists warned the public about potential damage to property and buildings in La Gomera.
They said: “Severe damages to people and properties may occur, especially to those vulnerable or in exposed areas.
“Be prepared and take precautions.”
The Canaries are popular for holidaying Brits with as many as 5.7 million visiting the islands last year.
However locals are going increasing frustrated at the impact that mass tourism is having on their daily lives and are preparing to stage a series of protests on April 20.
Under the slogan “The Canary Islands have a limit”, the protestors will demand a rethink of economic policy as frustrations over a “failed tourism and land management model” boil over.
Organisers insist that the protests have nothing to do with so-called “tourismophobia”, but say the current tourism model is unsustainable.
