The Canary Islands are preparing for the arrival of Storm Therese, the nineteenth named storm of the season, which is expected to bring locally heavy rain, thunderstorms, strong winds and rough sea conditions from Wednesday onwards. According to the State Meteorological Agency (Aemet), the archipelago will be the region of Spain most affected by this weather system over the coming days.
Aemet confirmed that the storm will trigger a period of instability lasting until the weekend, with rainfall affecting different parts of the Islands from midweek. While conditions may ease slightly on Friday, the overall outlook remains unsettled, with further showers and strong winds expected through to Sunday.
A record-breaking storm season
The arrival of Therese also marks the end of an exceptionally active storm season. With a total of 19 named storms, this autumn–winter period has set a new record since the current naming system was introduced in the 2017–2018 season. The previous record was registered last season, with 17 named storms.
Meteorological sources have indicated that, if the list of designated names is exhausted, an additional list agreed by south-western European countries—including Spain—would be used.
Heavy rain and stormy showers expected
From Wednesday onwards, the Islands are expected to experience widespread rainfall, which could become locally intense and persistent, particularly on southern and western slopes.
By Thursday afternoon, precipitation is forecast to intensify further, with stormy showers that may occasionally be very heavy. These conditions could lead to significant accumulations in some areas, especially where the terrain enhances rainfall.
Although forecasts for Friday suggest a slight easing in intensity, intermittent rain is still expected, maintaining the unstable conditions across the archipelago.
Snow expected at lower altitudes
One of the most notable features of this weather system will be the drop in the snow level. Weather models indicate that snowfall could begin late on Thursday, with the snow line descending to between 1,600 and 1,800 metres, and potentially remaining below 2,000 metres into Friday.
This could lead to fresh snowfall on higher ground, particularly in areas such as Mount Teide and other elevated regions of the Islands.
Strong winds and rough seas
Storm Therese will also bring strong westerly and south-westerly winds, ranging from moderate to strong, with intense gusts in exposed areas. These winds are expected to strengthen from Wednesday and persist throughout much of the event.
At sea, conditions will deteriorate significantly. The position of the storm system to the north of the archipelago will generate rough seas and heavy swell, with maritime conditions becoming increasingly hazardous.
Weather warnings already in place
Aemet has already issued yellow weather warnings for wind and coastal phenomena, which will come into effect from early Wednesday in Tenerife, La Palma, El Hierro and Gran Canaria.
Authorities are monitoring the situation closely as the system approaches, with further updates expected if conditions worsen.
A sharp contrast to the start of the week
The arrival of Storm Therese comes after a period of relatively stable weather. At the start of the week, conditions across the Islands were calm, with temperatures reaching up to 24°C in Vallehermoso (La Gomera)—the highest recorded in the archipelago—and moderate winds, with gusts of up to 54 km/h in Agaete and 47 km/h in Izaña.
However, this stable pattern is now set to give way to more unsettled and winter-like conditions, as rain, wind and colder air move in across the Canary Islands.
Unsettled weather to continue into the weekend
Overall, forecasters warn that the impact of Storm Therese will be felt across the archipelago for several days, bringing a combination of rain, wind, rough seas and mountain snowfall.
While conditions may fluctuate in intensity, the general outlook points to a prolonged period of instability through to the weekend, marking a turbulent end to the winter weather season in the Canary Islands.
