Importance Score: 75 / 100 🔴
Red Weather Alert Issued for Canary Islands Holiday Hotspots as Storm Nuria Approaches
The Canary Islands have announced a red weather warning for the popular tourist locations of Tenerife and La Palma as a significant storm system advances towards the area.
Effective from midnight tonight until Thursday, the island’s government has elevated the alert level to maximum for powerful winds due to Storm Nuria, while the remaining islands are under a general watch.
Schools in Tenerife and La Palma will remain closed on Thursday to safeguard students from the ‘exceptional danger’ posed by the approaching storm. Tourists have been advised to secure their accommodations by closing doors and windows to prevent potential property damage.
According to AEMET, the Spanish meteorological agency, strong west and southwesterly winds are forecasted to impact the islands, intensifying throughout the morning.
Hurricane-Force Winds Expected
Tenerife and La Palma are bracing for hurricane-force gusts potentially reaching 80mph, with the possibility of even higher velocities in exposed areas.
Elevated regions of the islands, such as Teide National Park in La Palma, are anticipated to bear the brunt of the storm.
Elsewhere, El Hierro, La Gomera, Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura, and Lanzarote are expecting substantial winds, with speeds predicted to reach up to 60mph.
Rough Seas Forecast
Maritime conditions surrounding the islands are also expected to deteriorate as Storm Nuria draws nearer. The seas around La Palma, El Hierro, and Fuerteventura are predicted to surge to heights of up to 16ft.
Recent Severe Weather in Tenerife
This severe weather warning follows shortly after Tenerife experienced a bout of snowfall, subsequent to heavy rainfall that triggered flash flooding across popular holiday destinations weeks prior.
La Palma under severe weather warning.
Storm Nuria threatens the entire Canary Islands.
Weather alert issued for Tenerife (stock image).
Strong winds expected to sweep across the region (stock image).
Flash Flooding and Snowfall Previously Impact Canary Islands
Telde, a major city in Gran Canaria, recently endured torrential rains causing rivers and streams to overflow, necessitating the rescue of a woman from her submerged vehicle.
Video footage emerged from Gran Canaria depicting powerful torrents of water rushing through streets, with vehicles losing control amidst the deluge.
Images from Teide National Park in Tenerife revealed the iconic peak blanketed in snow.
The Tenerife Cabildo shared videos displaying the volcano transformed by snow, presenting views reminiscent of polar climates rather than typical subtropical scenery.
Due to icy road conditions, all access routes to Teide National Park were temporarily closed for public safety.
The unusual heavy rainfall and snowfall created hazardous conditions throughout the islands, prompting authorities to advise both residents and tourists to remain indoors.
Dramatic Rescue Amidst Floods
A video clip from Radio Canaria showed a red car stranded amidst a line of abandoned vehicles during the intense rainfall.
A woman was seen trapped inside the vehicle, which appeared to be moments from completely sinking.
A bystander swiftly abandoned their umbrella and waded through the rising floodwaters, forced open the car door and pulled the woman to safety.