Tenerife has woken up to an extraordinary winter scene: Storm Emilia has deposited up to a metre and a half of snow in Teide National Park, marking the most significant snowfall recorded on the island since 2016.
According to the Cabildo de Tenerife, the Ucanca Valley and large stretches of the highlands of Arico, Arafo and Güímar are now completely covered by a thick white mantle. A special emergency operation remains active, with more than a dozen staff members assessing conditions and working to determine when the access roads to Mount Teide can be safely reopened.
Safety above all
The president of the Cabildo, Rosa Dávila, reaffirmed that the institution’s priority is to “guarantee the safety and protection of the population.” All available resources are being deployed with extreme caution due to the impact of the storm and the difficult terrain.
The island remains under the Insular Territorial Emergency Plan (PEIN), activated as a response to Storm Emilia, which has already caused 584 incidents, most of them linked to strong winds. These include the collapse of trees, fences, streetlights and other street furniture, as well as blockages on roads. Fortunately, there have been no reported injuries or severe personal incidents.
Extensive coordination across the island
Throughout the storm, the island’s emergency centre, CECOPIN, has worked continuously with local municipalities. In total, 19 town councils activated their Municipal Emergency Plans (PEMU) to monitor and respond to evolving conditions.
Effects across the island
- Wind gusts reached 159 km/h in Izaña, with other notable readings such as 109 km/h in Candelaria and Las Cañadas.
- Sustained winds above 60 km/h were recorded in mid-altitude areas.
- Temperatures plunged to -4°C in the National Park, accompanied by areas where snow accumulated well over half a metre.
- Rainfall was also intense, exceeding 69 litres per square metre in Arico, with similarly high figures in Güímar and Arafo.
Transport and services
Despite the severe weather, core services remained mostly stable.
- Tenerife North Airport experienced some delays and isolated flight diversions, but operations continued without major disruption.
- Maritime transport functioned normally.
- Endesa reported several isolated power outages, all of which were progressively resolved.
- A temporary shelter in Puerto de la Cruz, equipped for 20 people, was ultimately used by only two individuals.
If you are thinking of going to see the snow…
The Cabildo is urging residents and visitors to act responsibly:
✔ Avoid all non-essential travel
✔ Follow official updates and instructions
✔ Do not attempt to access the Teide area until authorities confirm it is safe
All access roads to the National Park remain closed, and the reopening will depend on ongoing safety assessments.
