Tenerife Under Emergency Measures as Storm Therese Brings Severe Weather

Tenerife has declared a state of emergency as Storm Therese unleashes strong winds, heavy rainfall, and even snow on the Canary Islands. The storm, named by the Portuguese weather service, is causing widespread disruption, including flight cancellations, road closures, and the activation of emergency plans.

Storm Therese: A Canary Islands-Wide Impact

Authorities in Tenerife activated emergency plans on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, as Storm Therese brought wet, windy, and wintry weather to the archipelago . The storm is impacting not only Tenerife but also neighboring islands like Gran Canaria, La Gomera, La Palma, and El Hierro.

Weather Warnings and Disruptions

The Spanish weather service, AEMET, issued orange weather warnings for Tenerife, valid through Saturday, March 21, 2026. Northern areas of the island are experiencing wind gusts of 90-100 km/h (56-62mph), even as the southern half faces the threat of up to 100mm (4 inches) of rainfall within a 12-hour period . These conditions pose risks of flooding, landslides, and transport disruption.

Significant snow has fallen over high ground in the center of the island around Mount Teide volcano . Roads to Teide National Park have been closed, and outdoor events have been cancelled. Some flights have also been cancelled .

La Palma and El Hierro could experience waves up to 6 metres (20 feet) high, creating dangerous coastal conditions .

State of Emergency and Emergency Response

The Tenerife Cabildo (Island Council) activated its emergency plan (PEIN) on Wednesday, urging locals and visitors to exercise caution and avoid unnecessary travel . Temporary shelters have been set up in affected areas. Island president Rosa Dávila requested maximum caution and adherence to official information .

More than 300 incidents linked to Storm Therese have been recorded, with approximately 200 in the province of Santa Cruz de Tenerife and 100 in Las Palmas . These incidents include falling debris, power outages, and rescues in coastal areas and ravines.

Record-Breaking Storm

Storm Therese is the nineteenth named storm of the Atlantic season in southwest Europe, surpassing all previous records since the naming system was implemented in 2018 . Meteorologists consider it a high-impact storm due to the intensity of the wind gusts and expected rainfall totals .

Easing Conditions Expected

By Sunday, March 23, 2026, the worst of the weather is expected to ease, although some yellow warnings will remain in force .