Government puts the Canaries on pre-alert for strong wind and dangerous sea conditions

The Government of the Canary Islands, through the General Directorate of Emergencies, has declared a pre-alert for wind and coastal phenomena in the Archipelago starting from 9:00pm tonight (Friday), based on the latest information provided by the Met Office.

The State Meteorological Agency (AEMET) has placed three islands under yellow warning from today and all of the islands from tomorrow (Saturday) due to winds of 80 km/h in some parts of the islands, especially on summits.

The weather forecast includes a moderate to strong northeasterly wind (trade wind), with a variable average speed of between 30 - 60 km/h, which will be especially intense in Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, and in the southeastern and northwest areas of the most prominent islands, where there will also be very strong gusts, which will exceed 70 - 80 km/h.

There are also warnings for dangerous sea conditions with northeast winds force 5 to 7 especially on the southeast and northwest coasts of the islands, and out at sea. There will also be a predominance of strong swell with large areas of rough sea on Sunday, with a swell of between 2.5 - 4.5 metres. The largest waves will reach the northern and western coasts of Fuerteventura, Lanzarote, La Palma, and El Hierro

Given this situation, the Canary Islands Government recommends that people take extreme precautions on the coasts of the islands, particularly where the wind can cause greater impact, and say is advisable not to stay on docks and breakwaters, or in places near the sea to avoid being hit or dragged by the waves, and to postpone nautical or sports activities planned for these days and not to bathe on secluded or unsupervised beaches.

In the southeast and northwest of the islands, as well as on the summits, areas where the wind can reach moderate to strong gusts, it is important to remember to moderate the speed on the road and be attentive to possible objects that may fall onto the road.