Hurricane force winds and first snowfall mark arrival of Storm Emilia in the Canary Islands
The first effects of Storm Emilia were felt across the Canary Islands last night, Friday, bringing hurricane-force winds, the first snowfall of the season on Tenerife’s highest peaks, flight disruptions and dozens of minor incidents. Fortunately, no serious injuries or major material damage have been reported.
One of the most striking impacts of the storm was recorded in the peaks of Tenerife, where extremely strong winds were measured. According to the State Meteorological Agency (AEMET), a maximum gust of 132 kilometres per hour was detected at Izaña, with sustained winds reaching 91 km/h. For comparison, winds exceeding 120 km/h are officially considered to be of hurricane strength.
Also in Tenerife, the first snow of the winter season fell in Las Cañadas late on Friday evening. While the exact depth of snowfall had not been confirmed at the time of publication, the appearance of snow so early in the season highlights the intensity of the weather system.
Storm Emilia, caused by a low-pressure system linked to an Atlantic polar front that has intensified between the Canary Islands and the Gulf of Cádiz, has also led to several travel disruptions. At La Palma Airport, wind gusts over 100 km/h forced the cancellation of a flight from Tenerife North, while another flight arriving from the Netherlands was diverted to Tenerife South.
Further problems were reported at Tenerife North Airport, where a flight from La Palma and another from El Hierro were diverted to the south of the island. A flight bound for Valverde was cancelled, and an aircraft flying from Germany was unable to land in Gran Canaria and was instead diverted to Tenerife South.
Emergency services were also called out to rescue a man who slipped and fell into the sea on the coast of Arona, in the Palm-Mar area. Thanks to a rapid response, two firefighters entered the water and rescued him. He suffered only minor injuries, such as scratches, and did not require serious medical treatment.
Across the islands, emergency coordination centre CECOES recorded around 30 weather-related incidents. These were spread across several municipalities in Tenerife, including Santa Cruz, La Laguna, Tacoronte, Adeje, El Rosario and Arico, as well as Los Llanos de Aridane in La Palma and parts of Gran Canaria. Most incidents involved fallen branches, traffic signs and small landslides, none of which were considered serious.
Among the more notable incidents was the temporary closure of the GC-80 road in Gran Canaria after a telegraph pole was blown over by strong winds. In Los Llanos, gusts were also strong enough to knock over solar panels. Rainfall was generally light and steady, although heavier rain was recorded in Tejeda and Valleseco.
Despite the relatively limited impact so far, authorities have warned that the worst conditions are expected during Saturday. The Canary Islands Government has declared a maximum alert for coastal conditions across the entire archipelago, along with alerts for coastal flooding and heavy rain. A specific snow alert remains in place for Tenerife, and a pre-alert for storms covers all the islands.
The public are being urged to stay informed, avoid coastal areas during rough sea conditions, and follow official advice as Storm Emilia continues to affect the Canary Islands.
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