The Canary Islands will once again face adverse maritime conditions this Monday, 9 March, as the State Meteorological Agency (Aemet) activates a yellow weather warning for coastal phenomena across several islands. The alert comes amid strengthening trade winds and increasingly rough seas, adding to the pre-alert already in place throughout the archipelago.
Yellow Warning for Coastal Phenomena
According to Aemet, the warning is due to northeasterly winds reaching force 7 (50–61 km/h) and deteriorating sea conditions. The instability will primarily affect areas exposed to the trade winds, particularly southeastern and northwestern coastal zones.
The yellow alert schedule is as follows:
- Tenerife and Gran Canaria:
The warning will come into effect at 2:00 p.m. on Monday and remain active throughout Tuesday, 10 March.- In Tenerife, the southeast is expected to be most affected.
- In Gran Canaria, the strongest winds are forecast for the western coast.
- La Palma, La Gomera and El Hierro:
The warning will begin at 8:00 p.m. on Monday and remain in place until Tuesday morning.- In La Palma, northwestern and southeastern coasts will be exposed.
- In El Hierro, the north will see the strongest impact.
- In La Gomera, the west and north are expected to experience the roughest conditions.
At sea, forecasts indicate rough to very rough conditions, with a north swell of between one and two metres, potentially higher in exposed coastal areas.
Government Pre-Alert Still Active
This yellow warning complements the broader pre-alert declared by the Directorate-General for Emergencies of the Canary Islands Government, which has been in force since last Friday under the Special Emergency Plan for Adverse Weather Conditions (PEFMA). Authorities continue to monitor developments closely as maritime instability intensifies.
Weather Forecast by Island
Beyond the coastal alerts, Monday’s general forecast includes widespread cloud cover and the possibility of light rainfall, particularly on northern slopes.
- Tenerife:
Cloudy skies are expected in the north and west, with occasional light rain in northeastern mid-altitude areas. Temperatures will remain stable, though light frost cannot be ruled out in the central peaks. - Gran Canaria:
Persistent cloud cover is forecast for the north and east. Trade winds may blow strongly in the northwest and southeast, with very strong gusts possible in the afternoon. - Lanzarote and Fuerteventura:
Cloudy skies will dominate, with scattered light rain possible overnight. Maximum temperatures are expected to reach around 19°C. - La Palma, La Gomera and El Hierro:
Overcast skies are likely in northern areas, accompanied by occasional rainfall. In Valverde (El Hierro), minimum temperatures could fall to around 10°C.
Safety Recommendations
Authorities urge residents and visitors to exercise caution along exposed coastlines while the warning remains active. Access to piers, breakwaters and coastal promenades should be avoided during periods of strong wind and heavy swell. Mariners and coastal users are advised to monitor official updates and follow safety guidance issued by emergency services.
While the situation does not represent an extreme weather event, conditions may be hazardous in specific areas, particularly those directly exposed to the trade winds and northern swell.
