Storm Therese refuses to leave the Islands: AEMET issues an orange alert for more rain
Storm Therese continues to linger over the Canary Islands, with more unsettled weather forecast for today, which has prompted weather warnings to be upgraded for heavy rainfall across the archipelago.
AEMET has maintained a yellow weather alert, which is expected to be raised to orange later today in the more mountainous islands. Forecasters warn of locally intense downpours, potentially accompanied by thunderstorms and even hail, with rainfall reaching up to 30 litres per square metre in some areas.
Conditions expected to improve midweek
According to current weather models, conditions should gradually ease, with a return to more typical weather expected between Wednesday and Thursday as the trade winds regain influence. However, meteorologists warn that forecasts may still change.
Residents and visitors are being urged to avoid trips to mid-altitude and high mountain areas due to ongoing landslides. People are also advised to stay away from ravines and not to ignore road closures.
Travel disruption and flight impact
Air travel has largely returned to normal, particularly in La Palma, where only minor delays were reported. However, Lanzarote experienced the most disruption yesterday, with one cancellation and eight flights diverted due to worsening weather conditions.
Flights from cities including Hamburg, Frankfurt, Rotterdam, London (two), Manchester (two), and Newcastle were diverted to Gran Canaria and Fuerteventura.
Tenerife hit by strong winds and flooding
In Tenerife, rainfall affected much of the south and west, with heavier and more intense showers in the north and Anaga area, often accompanied by thunderstorms.
Overnight, wind reached up to 118 km/h in Izaña. Power cuts were reported in parts of the southwest and northwest, affecting homes and some public lighting. Up to now, most have been restored to normal.
Rainfall totals have been significant, particularly in higher areas:
- Cruz de Tea: 276 litres/m²
- Vilaflor: 212 litres/m²
- Trevejos: 180 litres/m²
- Santiago del Teide: 153 litres/m²
Coastal areas such as El Médano, El Puertito de Adeje, and Guía de Isora were again impacted by strong waves and adverse coastal conditions.
Access to Teide National Park remains closed due to ice on the roads, along with several other routes and hiking trails. Around 80 people, many of them homeless, are currently being accommodated in emergency shelters in Adeje, Puerto de la Cruz, and Santa Cruz.
Ongoing concern in Gran Canaria
In Gran Canaria, ravines continue to carry significant water flow, and ten reservoirs are currently releasing water, with more expected if rainfall persists.
There are concerns in Agaete, where five residents have been evacuated near the ravine mouth, and in Arguineguín, where around 60 people remain cut off due to rising water levels.
Around ten roads across the island remain closed as authorities continue to monitor the situation.
Officials across the Canary Islands are urging the public to remain cautious and follow all safety advice as Storm Therese slowly moves away.
Landslides and isolation in other islands
In La Gomera, 15 residents in Erque and Erquito (Vallehermoso) were cut off after a retaining wall collapsed, leaving a large crater in the road. Emergency teams have offered assistance, though most residents have chosen to remain at home. Three people are expected to be airlifted out. The road remains closed.
Multiple landslides have also been reported across the island, affecting several key routes, including the GM-1, GM-2, and GM-3. The CV-14 road (El Rejo) is also closed.
In La Palma, rainfall has been lighter and mainly confined to the Caldera de Taburiente, though the risk of falling rocks and branches remains. In Tazacorte, parked vehicles were damaged by falling stones.
El Hierro has so far escaped major disruption, with conditions remaining relatively stable.
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