Tenerife and Lanzarote tourists issued 'extreme' 11am to 5pm warning in Canary Islands

Playa de las Americas is situated on the south coast of Tenerife. (Image: John Lamb via Getty Images)

Britons planning to travel to Tenerife, Gran Canaria or Lanzarote in May have been advised to take additional precautions due to an unusual 40°C heatwave forecast. Spain's Ministry of Health and the national meteorological agency (AEMET) have both issued warnings about the extreme weather conditions, which are atypical for this time of year.

Certain areas are expected to experience temperatures more akin to the height of summer than spring, with daytime highs of 40°C and nighttime temperatures reaching a stifling 30°C. Extreme UV risk warnings are in place for Tejeda, Artenara, and Valleseco in Gran Canaria until May 11. The remainder of the archipelago is also at very high UV risk, leading the Canary Islands Health Service (SCS) to issue a warning for residents and visitors, particularly those staying inland or participating in outdoor activities, to exercise extra caution.

Crowd of tourists on the beach at Puerto de Mogan, a fishing village on the south-west coast of the island of Gran Canaria. (Image: Getty Images)

The Health Service has provided a list of key recommendations for those residing on the islands, including seeking shade between 11am and 5pm. Travellers are also advised to apply SPF 50+ sunscreen every two hours and to wear light-coloured clothing with long sleeves, wide-brimmed hats, and sunglasses that block UV rays.

Holidaymakers travelling with infants under 12 months old are advised to keep them out of direct sunlight. The SCS reminds tourists that 'cloudy days still pose a risk,' reports Birmingham Live. 

The Canary Islands Health Department has issued a statement that has raised eyebrows, noting: "It's an anomaly for spring as extreme UV warnings are normally issued in summer."