The Canary Islands are facing one of the most intense weather days of the season as a powerful Atlantic front moves across the archipelago, bringing widespread disruption, extreme wind gusts, heavy rainfall and snowfall at higher altitudes. The State Meteorological Agency (AEMET) has issued warnings across much of the region, highlighting the risk of dangerous conditions throughout Thursday.
Gale-force winds and hazardous coastal conditions
The most significant feature of the storm will be the strong south-westerly winds, which are expected to intensify from midday onwards. Forecasts indicate that winds will reach gale force, with very strong to hurricane-force gusts in exposed areas, particularly in mid-altitude zones and mountainous regions.
In some locations, especially on leeward slopes and high ground, gusts could exceed 90 to 100 km/h, raising concerns about falling debris, travel disruption and potential damage.
At sea, conditions will deteriorate rapidly. Winds of force 5 to 6 will shift from north-westerly to south-westerly, generating rough to very rough seas. A north-westerly swell of 4 to 5 metres is expected, significantly increasing the risk along coastal areas.
Heavy rain and snowfall on higher islands
Rainfall will affect much of the archipelago, though the highest islands—particularly Tenerife and La Palma—are expected to bear the brunt of the precipitation. In these areas, rain may become persistent and locally intense, especially across western midlands and slopes.
As colder air moves in, the snow line will drop to around 1,900 metres, leading to snowfall on the central peaks, including Mount Teide. In combination with strong winds, this could create wintry and potentially hazardous conditions in high-altitude areas. Thunderstorms are also likely to develop during the afternoon, adding further instability to an already volatile weather situation.
Island-by-island forecast
- Tenerife: Skies will remain heavily overcast, with persistent rain in the west from early morning, spreading across the island later in the day. Rainfall may become locally heavy and stormy, while light frosts are possible on Mount Teide.
- Gran Canaria: Cloud cover will increase throughout the day, particularly in the south and west, where rain will intensify towards the evening. Winds on exposed slopes could reach up to 90 km/h.
- La Palma: Conditions will be particularly unstable, with continuous rainfall from early hours, especially in western mid-altitude areas. Snow is expected above 1,900 metres, and wind gusts on the peaks could be extreme.
- Lanzarote and Fuerteventura: The day will begin relatively calm with cloudy intervals and light rain, but conditions will worsen later, with very strong south-westerly winds becoming the main hazard.
- La Gomera and El Hierro: Expect cloudy skies and periods of rain, mainly affecting southern and western areas. Conditions should begin to improve towards the evening as the system moves away.
Temperatures remain stable despite severe conditions
Despite the intensity of the storm, temperatures will remain relatively stable across most of the archipelago. In the capitals—Santa Cruz de Tenerife and Las Palmas de Gran Canaria—maximum temperatures will range between 21°C and 22°C, with minimums around 16°C.
However, in higher elevations and on El Hierro, temperatures will be noticeably lower, with minimums in areas such as Valverde dropping to around 10°C.
Safety recommendations
Given the severity of the forecast, authorities are urging residents and visitors to exercise extreme caution. Particular care should be taken when travelling, especially on exposed roads, and people are advised to secure loose objects on balconies, terraces and rooftops to prevent them from being carried away by strong winds.
With a combination of intense rainfall, powerful winds, rough seas and snowfall at altitude, Thursday is set to be one of the most challenging weather days in recent months across the Canary Islands.
