Storm Therese cancels flights in Tenerife as Easter holidays loom

Storm Therese has unleashed unprecedented weather chaos across the Canary Islands.

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ABC

The storm was originally named by the Portuguese weather service primarily for threats to Madeira and the Azores.

ABC

Meteorological authorities have activated emergency plans as the popular holiday destination faces conditions completely contrary to what tourists expect.

The Canary Islands have been placed under orange weather alerts, the second-highest alert level, indicating significant risk to life and infrastructure rather than mere inconvenience.

This weather crisis comes as travelers are preparing for Easter getaways, potentially disrupting the plans of countless holidaymakers who chose the islands for their year-round warmth and sunshine.

Tenerife, the largest of the Canary Islands, is experiencing particularly dramatic weather transformations with its iconic Mount Teide volcano now blanketed in snow.

The volcanic peak has been transformed into a winter landscape with snowfall intensifying above 1,800-2,000 metres, including at the Parador de Las Cañadas del Teide located high in the national park.

Altitudes Magazine

Meteorological authorities have warned that snow will continue to affect parts of the island above 1,800-2,000 metres, with some forecasts suggesting snow could rise to around 2,500 metres by afternoon.

The combination of heavy rain, powerful winds, and rough seas across the wider island is what makes this storm genuinely dangerous rather than merely dramatic.

Wind gusts are forecast to reach 90-100 kilometres per hour in northern areas and some locations potentially receiving up to 100mm of rain—roughly four inches—within a 12-hour window.

The severe weather conditions have triggered widespread travel disruption across the Canary Islands, with flight cancellations and diversions creating chaos for holidaymakers and locals alike.

“- Published Authorities in Tenerife have activated emergency plans as Storm Therese brings wet, windy and wintry weather to the Canary Islands”

BBC

On Thursday alone, at least seven flights to the Canary Islands were cancelled or diverted, following 36 cancellations the previous day.

These cancellations have affected both local inter-island services and incoming international flights, with one example seeing a flight from Madrid to La Palma Airport diverted to Tenerife South.

Wind speeds have astonishingly surpassed 74 miles per hour in certain areas, with conditions continuing to deteriorate, potentially marking the most severe phase of Storm Therese on Friday.

The combination of extreme weather conditions—storms, flooding, powerful winds, heavy downpours, and dangerous sea conditions—has created hazardous flying conditions that are expected to persist for several more days.

Authorities across the Canary Islands have activated emergency protocols and issued comprehensive weather warnings to protect residents and tourists from the increasingly dangerous conditions.

The Cabildo de Tenerife—the island's governing council—activated its emergency plan as early as Wednesday, well ahead of the storm's peak, urging both locals and visitors to exercise caution and avoid unnecessary travel.

Daily Record

The Spanish national weather service, AEMET, has issued orange weather warnings covering Tenerife and other islands, signaling a significant risk to life and infrastructure.

These warnings cover various extreme weather phenomena including storms, flooding, powerful winds, heavy rainfall and dangerous sea conditions.

The warnings are not precautionary in a vague sense but indicate that weather is expected to cause real disruption and pose genuine risk to people outdoors or travelling, with officials acting quickly once the scale of the storm became clear.

The timing of Storm Therese has created significant concerns for Easter holiday plans, as thousands of British and international travelers had chosen the Canary Islands for their reputation as year-round sunshine destinations.

“UK tourists heading to Tenerife, including many Scots who flock there for winter sun, are being urged to be prepared as the island braces for days of stormy weather”

Dumbarton Reporter

The popular holiday destination is bracing for up to 11mm of rainfall within a mere 12-hour period, with an amber rain alert declared for Gran Canaria where 80mm of rain is anticipated.

Dumbarton Reporter

Weather experts are also forecasting perilous sea conditions between Tenerife and Gran Canaria, with waves predicted to reach up to six metres and winds of up to force eight.

Tourists have expressed bewilderment at the conditions, with one exclaiming "It's meant to have the best climate, I'd say, in Europe, and now we're four days into a storm. You know we're in a crisis - I'm in a full tracksuit. What has happened?"

The forecast suggests the adverse conditions could last for at least another five days, potentially disrupting holiday plans for Brits abroad who expected glorious sunshine rather than miserable winter conditions.

While the worst of Storm Therese may be approaching its peak, the Canary Islands face continued meteorological instability with authorities warning that conditions will likely remain hazardous through the weekend and possibly beyond.

Heavy showers are anticipated across the weekend, along with possible thunderstorms and hail, with strong gusts of wind likely on Saturday before conditions are expected to ease on Sunday.

The State Meteorological Agency (AEMET) keeps special warnings active for precipitation, wind and rough seas in the area at least through Sunday the 22nd, indicating days still marked by meteorological instability.

Rainfall warnings are in effect for all the islands, with orange alert (significant risk) in Gran Canaria, La Palma, La Gomera, El Hierro and Tenerife.

Strong winds will also be prominent, with very strong southwest gusts likely to surpass 90 km/h at the peaks and in lee areas of the islands with greater relief.