Tenerife has declared an island-wide emergency in anticipation of Storm Therese, which threatens to bring severe weather conditions, including winds exceeding 100 km/h and heavy rainfall. This warning extends to UK tourists visiting the popular Canary Islands destination.
The Cabildo has activated the Island Emergency Plan (PEIN) starting at 3pm on Wednesday, March 18. This plan enforces widespread closures, restrictions, and suspension of outdoor activities across Tenerife to safeguard residents and visitors.
Key restrictions include the closure of the TF-445 road to Punta de Teno, bans on access to hiking trails, forest tracks, recreational areas, and the closure of Teide National Park from 1,800 meters altitude due to snow. All outdoor events on the island are also suspended to prevent accidents, landslides, and flooding, as advised by Spain’s meteorological agency AEMET.
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Blanca Pérez, Tenerife’s Councillor for Security and Emergencies, emphasized the proactive approach to anticipate and respond swiftly to any incidents. Additional measures involve monitoring coastal zones, inspecting infrastructure, and enhancing controls in areas identified as high risk.
AEMET advises everyone to avoid unnecessary travel, exercise caution while driving, and respect closures and restrictions. Residents and tourists should also secure outdoor items that could become hazardous in strong winds.
Storm Therese is the 19th named storm of the 2025-2026 season, surpassing last season’s record of 17. The Canary Islands will bear the brunt of the storm with heavy rains, intense winds, and rough seas expected from Wednesday onwards. The storm will also cause scattered showers in parts of mainland Spain, including Extremadura and western Andalucía, and will bring some Saharan dust to southern and western regions.