The worst of the bad weather that walloped Gran Canaria over the last five days is over, although we may get the odd strong shower today.

Today will be sunny in Gran Canaria, but the weather changes on Saturday due to the weakened remnants of Hurrican Joaquín.

After a couple of weeks of sunny weather, and one day of rain so far in September, Gran Canaria could go all tropical this week to welcome the Autumn season.

After a roasting hot week, the Spanish weather service has put the Canary Islands on Yellow Alert for rain today.

It looks like we haven't seen the last of August's freak weather conditions in Gran Canaria and the Canary Islands just yet.

It's sunny this morning but south Gran Canaria is still recovering from the shock of yesterday's unexpected (to put it mildly) thunderstorm in Playa del Inglés and Maspalomas resorts. 

If you're in Gran Canaria and it's raining don't sit by the pool pining for the sunshine: it'll be back sooner than you think. Instead, take advantage of the rain and get up into the highlands to see one of Gran Canaria's rarest and most spectacular natural events.

The Canary pine (pinus canariensis) is a miracle tree. Its needles make rain from the clouds  and protect the tree from intense forest fires.

When the Trade Winds blow clouds and mist through the Gran Canaria pine forests the mist condenses on the long, droopy needles and falls as rain. This allows the pine forests to grow in areas with little rainfall, provided that they are high enough to get covered in cloud during the winter. The same long needles protect the trees from fires by burning fast before the heat damages the growing buds. 

Canary pine grows all over the mountains of Cumbres of Gran Canaria, as well as on Tenerife, La Palma and El Hierro. It can reach 45 metres with a trunk at least 1.5 metres in diameter. The island's pine forests are home to a number of endangered animals and plants, including the Blue Chaffinch.

Gran Canaria's forests are recovering after centuries of over-exploitation and most of the forest you see was planted after the 1960s: Big old pine trees are rare as most were cut down for timber and charcoal.

Canary pine trees have lots of other uses: The seeds are edible, and a needle tea treats colds, coughs and bronchitis. Canary pine oil from the needles makes a powerful rub for arthritis and rheumatism, as well as being antiseptic. Canary pine wood is excellent for making furniture, but is no longer harvested. 

The best way to see the Canary pine is to head up to Roque Nublo in the centre of the island. The whole surrounding area is covered with pine forest and there are plenty of walking tracks. Be careful with cigarettes, and never leave glass bottles behind,  as the pine forests catch fire easily!

Gran Canaria sells itself to tourists as a sunshine destination where good weather is guaranteed. However, it does have to be wet every now and then or we'd be the Sahara desert. The good news is that there is plenty to do in Gran Canaria on the odd rainy day.