The State Meteorological Agency (AEMET) has issued an updated warning today, Tuesday, extending yellow weather warnings for adverse coastal phenomena across all Canary Islands, and for strong winds in both provinces.
According to AEMET's forecast for Wednesday, strong gusts of wind are expected to develop overnight, particularly on the islands with higher altitudes.
The skies will generally remain clear, with some intermittent cloud cover along the northern coasts of the mountainous islands, which is likely to increase as the day progresses. Temperatures will see little variation or rise slightly, with minimums around 17°C and maximums reaching 22°C.
Canary Islands on Pre-alert for Coastal Risks
In response to the forecast, the Canary Islands Government, through the Directorate-General of Emergencies, activated a pre-alert for adverse coastal conditions from 12:00pm yesterday (Monday, 27th January).
This forms part of the Canary Islands’ Specific Emergency Plan for Risks from Adverse Meteorological Phenomena (PEFMA).
The rough sea conditions are expected to persist throughout the week, particularly affecting the northern and western coasts of La Palma, El Hierro, La Gomera, Fuerteventura, and Lanzarote, as well as the northern shores of Tenerife and Gran Canaria.
During the start of the week, the sea state and wind have shown signs of intensifying. Yesterday, waves reached heights of 2.5 to 3.5 metres, while forecasts for today indicate they could be up to 4 metres. Winds in offshore areas between the larger islands, as well as along their southeastern and northwestern slopes, could reach force 7 on the Beaufort scale.
These challenging weather conditions are set to continue through Wednesday, (29th January), with spring tides and sustained high wave activity.
Authorities Urge Caution
The regional authorities have advised residents and visitors to exercise extreme caution, particularly in coastal areas exposed to strong winds and rough seas.
Activities related to the sea should be approached with heightened care to ensure public safety, and red flags should be adhered to, to avoid any accidents in areas where conditions are dangerous.
