Tenerife has declared a state of emergency as Storm Therese hits the Canary Islands with 75mph winds.
Aemet, Spain’s meteorological agency, issued yellow and orange weather warnings across the Canary Islands on Wednesday, with strong gusts of wind, downpours, flash flooding and rough seas forecast this weekend.
Roads are closed across the Canaries, including to Mount Teide, as up to 300mm of rain and “significant accumulations” of snow are expected on island peaks in La Palma and Tenerife.
On Wednesday, the Tenerife Cabildo announced that the Island Emergency Plan (PEIN) would be activated from 3pm.
Island president Rosa Dávila said: “From today at 15:00, the emergency island device is put into action to anticipate an episode of adverse weather that will affect Tenerife over the next few days. Maximum caution is requested; avoid unnecessary travel and always follow official information.”
She added: “Numerous incidents such as falling lanterns, outages, power outages and water accumulation. Several rescues have also been carried out in coastal areas and ravines due to the strong waves and rising water.”
Spain’s meteorological agency said in a notice that rainfall, wind and waves would sweep the area from Thursday, 19 March, until “at least” Sunday.
Aemet forecast strong gusts of wind, very heavy downpours, flash flooding and rough seas with waves over five metres high.
Schools were closed on both Thursday and Friday, with remote work encouraged, except for essential services.
The suspension of “cultural activities, sports and public events with travel between municipalities” has also been introduced.
On Thursday, Aemet said isolated cold front Therese had “deepened west of the Iberian Peninsula”.
The storm is predicted to travel over the Canary Islands – particularly Tenerife and La Palma – but adverse weather in Gran Canaria “cannot be ruled out”.
On Friday, the frontal system will complete crossing the archipelago, extending rainfall to the eastern islands, according to Aemet.
More than 1,000 members of emergency services are troops working to ensure the safety of all citizens, said Dávila.
Arrivals and departures from Tenerife’s South and North airports appear to be operating largely as scheduled despite Storm Therese.
However, the severe weather could cause significant travel disruption for holidaymakers, including last-minute flight cancellations and diversions across the Canary Islands.
According to Flightradar24, 23 flights are delayed at Tenerife North airport on Friday morning, with 24 delayed at Tenerife South.
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