Tenerife Declares State of Emergency Amid Storm Therese's Fury
Tenerife has officially declared a state of emergency as Storm Therese batters the Canary Islands with intense weather conditions, including heavy snowfall and winds reaching up to 75 miles per hour. The Spanish meteorological agency, Aemet, has issued both orange and yellow weather warnings across the archipelago, forecasting severe disruptions over the weekend.
Widespread Disruptions and Safety Measures
From Thursday, 19 March 2026, until at least Sunday, the region is expected to experience strong gusts, torrential downpours, flash flooding, and rough seas with waves exceeding five metres in height. In response, the Tenerife Cabildo activated the Island Emergency Plan (PEIN) starting at 3pm on Wednesday. Island President Rosa Dávila urged maximum caution, advising residents to avoid unnecessary travel and follow official updates closely.
She reported numerous incidents, including:
- Falling lanterns and power outages
- Water accumulation in urban areas
- Several rescues in coastal zones and ravines due to rising water levels
Roads across the Canaries have been closed, including access to Mount Teide, with up to 300mm of rain and significant snow accumulations anticipated on peaks in La Palma and Tenerife.
Impact on Daily Life and Travel
Schools were closed on both Thursday and Friday, with remote work encouraged for non-essential services. Additionally, cultural activities, sports events, and public gatherings involving inter-municipal travel have been suspended. Over 1,000 emergency service personnel are deployed to ensure citizen safety.
Despite the severe conditions, arrivals and departures at Tenerife's South and North airports are largely operating as scheduled. However, Flightradar24 data indicates 23 delayed flights at Tenerife North and 24 at Tenerife South on Friday morning, highlighting potential travel disruptions for holidaymakers, including possible last-minute cancellations and diversions.
Weather Forecast and Regional Effects
Aemet noted that isolated cold front Therese deepened west of the Iberian Peninsula, moving over the Canary Islands, particularly affecting Tenerife and La Palma, with adverse weather in Gran Canaria also a possibility. By Friday, the frontal system is expected to complete its crossing, extending rainfall to the eastern islands. The storm's intensity underscores the need for continued vigilance as emergency services work to mitigate risks.
