Wind forecast for Gran Canaria & the Canary Islands
Las Palmas is the start of the ARC and the last stop before many an Atlantic crossing. The north-east trade winds blow here almost all year, strongest in summer. Between the islands they speed up into well-known acceleration zones off each island’s corners — often 10 knots stronger than in open water — while the south-west lee lies in a near-calm wind shadow.
Plan inter-island passages so you are not crossing an acceleration zone in the afternoon, when it is at its strongest.
The next three days
ECMWF model forecast at this spot, in knots, local time. Not for navigation.
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Local winds
Trade winds (alisios) from NE
Steady north-easterlies that blow most of the year, strongest in summer. The islands break them into acceleration zones off their corners — often 10 knots more than the open sea — and calm wind shadows in their south-west lee.