Storm Therese Impacts Canary Islands: Snow, Wind & Flight Cancellations

Hurricane-force winds reaching 200 kilometers per hour were recorded on Tenerife this Saturday afternoon, as Storm Therese continues to batter the Canary Islands. Snow accumulation reached 20 centimeters overnight in the Teide region, according to local reports.

On Gran Canaria, heavy rainfall was the primary impact, with 103.2 liters of water per square meter falling in Vega de San Mateo. The severe weather also prompted the evacuation of residents on the island, though specific locations were not immediately available.

At least 24 flights have been cancelled across the islands, with a further three diverted, according to reports. The airport in Santa Cruz de La Palma has been the most significantly affected. Authorities activated the Island Emergency Plan on Wednesday, urging caution and discouraging unnecessary travel and have set up temporary shelters in affected areas. Access roads to Teide National Park remain closed.

The Portuguese weather service named Storm Therese earlier this week due to anticipated disruption in Madeira and the Azores, but the Canary Islands are now experiencing the brunt of the storm. The Spanish weather service, AEMET, had issued orange weather warnings for Tenerife, valid through Friday and into Saturday, forecasting wind gusts of 90-100 km/h (56-62mph) in northern areas and the potential for 100mm (4 in) of rainfall within a 12-hour period in the south.

Neighboring islands, including Gran Canaria and La Gomera, are also under wind and rain warnings. La Palma and El Hierro face potential waves of up to 6 meters (20 feet), creating dangerous coastal conditions.

The front is expected to reactivate overnight, according to the Efe news agency.