It’s been the worst winter on Lanzarote in decades - with almost continual cloud cover in the North of the island keeping temperatures well down below their normal levels. And according to AEMET, the Spanish meteorological agency, more is to come early next week, along with the likelihood of some rain and the return of stronger, colder winds from the North and North East.

So what does this mean if you’re here on the island? In the North, the clouds tend to form and cling to Monte Corona and the Famara massif, which has resulted in little real prolonged sunlight there in recent weeks. Out of the sun the air temperature in towns such as Teguise is down to around 11C today with 13C forecast, so all you need is wind from the North or North East and conditions soon start to feel far from sub-tropical!

Other parts of the island boast more favourable micro climates, with south eastern coastal resorts such as Puerto del Carmen and Puerto Calero usually benefitting from longer cloud breaks and hence higher daytime temperatures. But either way there can be no denying that this has been one of the longest runs of really indifferent weather that many can remember.

For many residents these cooler conditions are compounded by the fact that many houses on the island, especially the more modern builds, are poorly put together with no thought given to insulation or damp prevention. Virtually none have any type of central heating systems – and as a result local hardware shops have been selling wood burners (fuelled by logs imported from La Palma), gas heaters and electric radiators in serious quantities over the winter months.

In the village we live in, close to the coast at Arrieta, you won’t currently see any local walking about in shorts and t-shirts. Instead bodywarmers, coats and fleeces have been the dress code in recent weeks.