1 day ago
Authorities in Tenerife have activated emergency plans as Storm Therese brings wet, windy, and wintry weather to the Canary Islands.
Outdoor events have been cancelled, roads closed, and some flights disrupted, with weather warnings expected to remain in force throughout the weekend.
Significant snowfall has already occurred over the high ground around Mount Teide volcano in the island's centre.
Heavy rain raises the threat of flooding, while strong winds and rough seas pose additional hazards.
Storm Therese was named earlier this week by the Portuguese weather service due to expected disruptions in Madeira and the Azores. However, the Canary Islands are now experiencing the storm's full impact.
A weekend of weather warnings
The Spanish weather service, AEMET, has issued orange warnings for Tenerife, effective from Friday through Saturday.
Northern Tenerife may face wind gusts of 90-100 km/h (56-62 mph), while the southern half is under a rain warning, with up to 100 mm (4 inches) possible within 12 hours.
This intense rainfall increases the risk of flooding, landslides, and transport disruptions.
The Tenerife Island Council (Cabildo de Tenerife) activated its emergency plan on Wednesday, advising residents and visitors to exercise caution and avoid unnecessary travel.
Temporary shelters have been established in affected areas, and access roads to Teide National Park have been closed.
Neighbouring islands, including Gran Canaria and La Gomera, also face wind and rain warnings. La Palma and El Hierro could experience waves up to 6 metres (20 feet), creating dangerous coastal conditions.
By Sunday, the worst weather is expected to ease, though some yellow warnings will remain. Showers are forecast to continue into the first half of next week.
Snowfall has been a notable feature of Storm Therese, particularly over the high ground surrounding Mount Teide. While the Canary Islands are often seen as a year-round sunny destination, snow on the volcano during winter and early spring is not unusual.
Mount Teide, standing at 3,718 metres (12,200 feet), is the highest mountain in Spain, surpassing any peak in the Pyrenees. Consequently, when rain drenches Tenerife's beaches, snow often falls on the volcano's summit.
A stormy winter in southwest Europe
Storm Therese is the 19th named storm this season by the southwest Europe naming group, which began naming storms in 2017. This is a record number for the group, which includes the national weather services of Spain, Portugal, France, Belgium, Luxembourg, and Andorra.
Only two storm names remain on this season's list. If more than two storms occur before August, a "mini-list" of five names, running alphabetically from A to E, will be introduced.
