The Tenerife Island Council has activated the Tenerife Island Emergency Plan (PEIN) as a preventive measure after the regional government declared a situation of maximum alert ahead of the arrival of Storm Emilia, an isolated cold storm with high-impact potential. The severe weather system is forecast by the State Meteorological Agency (Aemet) to begin affecting the island from Friday, with conditions worsening significantly on Saturday.
Access restrictions in natural spaces
From 3 p.m. on Friday, the Cabildo has imposed a complete ban on access and movement on all tracks, trails, footpaths and off-road areas located within the island’s Protected Natural Areas, due to the high risk of:
- landslides
- falling trees
- flooding
All campsites, camping zones and recreational areas within these protected spaces will also be closed.
Authorities urge caution: “Safety is the absolute priority”
“The absolute priority is the safety of the population. Storm Emilia is expected to have a significant impact, and we are acting in advance to reduce the risks,” stated Rosa Dávila, president of the Tenerife Island Council. She called on residents to avoid unnecessary travel and stay informed exclusively through official channels.
What the weather models predict
Forecasts indicate that Emilia will bring a combination of snow, torrential rain, severe winds and extremely rough seas:
Snow
- Snowfall expected on high peaks, with accumulations of up to 5 cm, especially on Saturday.
Rain
- Very intense rainfall, with levels potentially reaching 100 mm in 12 hours.
Wind
- Gusts will exceed 90 km/h, increasing from Friday afternoon onward.
Sea conditions
- The most dangerous element will be the violent sea storm, particularly along Tenerife’s north coast.
- Waves may exceed 6 metres, with larger sets reaching even higher on exposed coastlines.
Widespread warnings and emergency activation
The Government of the Canary Islands has already declared:
- Coastal Phenomena Alert, likely to be upgraded to Maximum Alert on Saturday
- Wind Alert
Meanwhile, AEMET has issued yellow and orange warnings for:
- rain
- strong winds
- coastal phenomena
- snow
- thunderstorms
The maximum alert will take effect at 3 p.m. on Friday, 12 December, while CECOPIN (the island’s emergency coordination centre) will enter pre-emergency phase at 8 p.m. the same day.
Restrictions now in force
The following measures apply to residents, businesses and public bodies, except essential authorised personnel:
Prohibited:
- Access and movement on tracks, trails and off-road areas in Protected Natural Areas
- Remaining in campsites, camping areas or recreational zones inside these spaces
- Public transport services to Barranco de Masca and Punta de Teno, which are suspended until further notice
These measures are intended to prevent accidents related to potential landslides, flooding, falling debris and hazardous sea conditions.
Recommendations to the population
The Cabildo advises residents and visitors to:
- Avoid travel; if unavoidable, do so with extreme caution
- Inspect and secure vulnerable infrastructure, particularly in:
- flood-prone areas
- coastal zones
- beaches
- busy urban areas
- Secure street furniture, Christmas decorations and loose objects that could be blown away
- Ensure that local councils activate their Municipal Emergency Plans (PEMUs)
- Follow all self-protection instructions issued by the civil protection authorities
Residents and visitors are urged to stay updated exclusively through official channels and to comply fully with all emergency guidance.
