Storm Therese Unleashes Havoc on Canary Islands with Amber Warnings
The Canary Islands, including popular destinations Tenerife and Gran Canaria, are grappling with severe weather conditions as Storm Therese sweeps through the region. The Spanish meteorological agency, AEMET, has issued 'significant danger' amber warnings for rain and wind, particularly in the centre of Palma, Tenerife, and Gran Canaria, effective until 11.59pm tonight. This has led to widespread disruption for holidaymakers and locals alike.
Travel Chaos and Cancellations Amid Extreme Conditions
Dozens of flights have been cancelled throughout the week due to high winds reaching up to 75mph, with the majority of departures from Tenerife South Airport on Friday experiencing significant delays, according to Flightradar24. Events, such as the 75th birthday celebration of the Iberostar Heritage Grand Mencey hotel, have been called off. Roads have been shut as a precaution after snow and rainfall created treacherous, icy conditions, complicating travel across the islands.
Sabi Phagura, a UK travel journalist who arrived in Tenerife on Wednesday, described the intense situation: 'It was a bumpy ride from Gatwick. I was oblivious to the storm until as soon as I landed people were messaging me asking if I was okay. It was lashing with rain overnight. When I looked out the palm trees were bending 60 degrees, almost 90 degrees in the wind.' She added that roads were closed in some areas, with 6ft waves and rocks falling off mountains, highlighting the severity of the storm.
Emergency Response and Weather Forecast
Rosa Davila, the president of Tenerife, activated the island's emergency response system on Thursday afternoon to prepare for the adverse weather expected over the coming days. The rough weather front is predicted to last until early next week. According to AEMET, significant amounts of rain and wind will continue across the islands on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, with gusts potentially reaching up to 90km/h and rainfall up to 100mm on Saturday. Yellow warnings for wind up to 50 km/h are in place around the coasts, easing to 61 km/h and 15mm of rain by Sunday and Monday, with warnings remaining until Monday.
This storm follows last month's devastation from Storm Leonardo in southern Spain and Portugal, which caused heavy rain, flooding, landslides, and forced thousands from their homes, resulting in at least two fatalities. In contrast, the UK is experiencing dry, sunny weather with temperatures between 14 and 16°C, as high pressure dominates over the weekend, according to the Met Office.
Passenger Rights and Support During Flight Disruptions
For travellers affected by flight cancellations or delays, airlines in the UK and EU are required to provide support, including meals, accommodation, and alternative flights. Eligibility depends on flight distance and waiting times: short-haul flights (up to 1,500km) require a two-hour wait, medium-haul (1,500km to 3,500km) three hours, and long-haul (over 3,500km) four hours. Passengers should keep receipts for reasonable expenses and check airline terms if not booked with a UK or EU carrier.
