The weather across the Canary Islands shows no sign of settling. Only hours after the recent wind alert — which left gusts of nearly 100 km/h in some areas — was lifted, Spain’s State Meteorological Agency, AEMET, confirmed the formation of a new high-impact storm named “Regina”. This system is expected to dominate the start of the week, bringing widespread rainfall, strong winds and renewed maritime instability to the archipelago.
A named storm with historic significance
Regina has been officially named by the Instituto Português do Mar e da Atmosfera (IPMA) and becomes the seventeenth storm of the 2025/2026 season.
With this designation, Spain matches the historical record for the highest number of high-impact storms in a single season — equalling the 2023/24 season. The notable difference this year is timing: the record has been reached in March, whereas last season it was not matched until mid-April.
The naming of Regina reflects the expected severity of the system, as storm names are reserved for episodes likely to trigger orange or red weather alerts.
What to expect in the Canary Islands
According to AEMET spokesperson Rubén del Campo, Regina will move across North Africa, destabilising the atmosphere across south-western Europe. Its effects on the Canary Islands are expected to include:
- Heavy rainfall: Significant and persistent rain is forecast across much of the archipelago, particularly on north-facing slopes and in mid-altitude areas.
- Strong winds: After a brief respite, very strong gusts are set to return, driven by moist air flows associated with the storm.
- Rough seas: Coastal conditions are expected to deteriorate, especially along northern coasts of the higher islands, where wave activity may intensify.
Additional instability: possible DANA formation
Compounding the situation is the possible formation of a DANA (isolated high-level depression) to the southwest of the Iberian Peninsula on Monday. While meteorologists indicate that this feature alone is unlikely to generate torrential rain, its interaction with the humid air masses brought by Regina could reinforce atmospheric instability over the Canary Islands during the first half of the week.
Emergency services on alert
Given the combination of heavy rainfall, wind risk and maritime hazards, emergency services have already been placed on preventive alert. Authorities stress that residents should closely monitor official updates and be prepared for rapidly changing weather conditions.
Key facts about Storm Regina
- Origin: Named by IPMA (Portugal)
- Season milestone: 17th storm of 2025/2026, equalling the historical record
- Main impacts: Persistent rain, strong gusts and rough seas
- Outlook: Continued instability during the first half of the week
Regina’s arrival signals yet another volatile chapter in what is already shaping up to be one of the most active storm seasons in recent years for the Canary Islands.
