The Canary Islands have started the year with a scenario of Very strong winds and rough seas which has the entire archipelago on edge. The Atlantic storm Francis, moving between the islands and the Peninsula, has forced the regional government and the island councils to activate different levels of alert for hurricane-force gusts in the mountains and severe maritime storms along numerous stretches of coast.
The rains take a backseat to the early stages of the episode, but the combination of wind and waves It continues to pose a clear risk, especially in high-altitude areas, exposed mid-altitude zones, and coastlines open to the northwest. Authorities emphasize the need for extreme caution and to adjust plans according to weather forecasts, both on land and at sea.
Francis hits the Canary Islands: from a rain front to a focus on wind and rough seas
The change in weather came with Francis, an Atlantic storm which began to be noticeable in the archipelago from the early morning of January 1st. An associated front entered through the western islands and advanced from west to east, leaving widespread showers, isolated storms and a clear worsening of maritime conditions.
Initially, the Government of the Canary Islands activated alert for rains in La Palma and Tenerife and pre-alert in the rest of the islandsalong with storm warnings. The rainfall was concentrated in the mountains and mid-altitude areas, especially on the larger islands, where in some places it rained persistently for several hours. 12 hours in a row.
As the front crossed the archipelago, the situation shifted into an episode dominated by the strong winds and rough seasThe depression was located between the Canary Islands and the Peninsula, with a tendency to move towards the Mediterranean, but still maintaining several days of instability over the islands.
The State Meteorological Agency (AEMET) shifted its focus of warnings to wind gusts and coastal phenomena, with Yellow alerts across the archipelago and sections at orange level due to particularly adverse swell in La Palma and Lanzarote.
Canary Islands Government alerts: wind in the mountains and storms along almost the entire coastline
Given the evolution of the situation, the regional government, through the General Directorate of Emergencies, has declared the wind alert in the highlands and summits of La Palma, Tenerife and Gran Canaria, allowing your fleet to pre-alert due to this phenomenon in the rest of the islands. Subsequently, the wind alert has been extended to higher altitudes as the gusts gained intensity.
The predominant scenario is Southwest and west winds, moderate to strongwith very strong gusts in the midlands, summits, and high-altitude areas of the north and east of the larger islands. Gusts may be locally very intense, exceeding 80 km/h in numerous mountain points and reaching and even exceeding the 90 km/h on the peaks of Tenerife, according to information provided by AEMET and compiled by the Canary Islands Government.
The regional government has also declared the Alert for coastal phenomena throughout the Canary IslandsThe warning affects the north, west and southwest coast of El Hierro; north, west and south of La Palma; west and southwest of La Gomera; and north and west of the rest of the islands, including the coasts of the metropolitan area of Santa Cruz de Tenerife.
As for the sea, winds are expected from the west or southwest. strength 7 (50 to 61 km/h), according to the Beaufort scaleTogether with Combined northwest sea of 4 to 5 meterswith the possibility of exceeding that threshold on the north and west coasts of La Palma and on the north coast of Lanzarote. This maritime storm also coincides with a period of full moon and spring tides, with very high tidal coefficients that increase the risk of impacts on seafronts, ports and low-lying coastal areas.
AEMET warnings: extreme gusts and very rough seas on several islands
AEMET maintains in a staggered manner yellow and orange warnings due to wind and coastal phenomena on practically all the islands over several days. The risk is concentrated especially on summits, ridges and exposed mid-altitude areas, as well as on seafronts open to northwest swells.
In La Palma, wind warnings are focused on the summits and the eastern slope of the island. Gusts of up to 80 km/h west componentwith the possibility of occasionally exceeding 90 km/h in the highest areas. These conditions extend for much of the day, with an average probability of occurrence between 40% and 70%.
In Tenerife, the warnings encompass the north, metropolitan area and eastern, southern and western slopesThe westerly wind particularly punishes the mountain range and high areas, with gusts that can also reach 80 km/h and occasionally exceed 90 km/h on the central peaks. The southern slope and the area around La Laguna are among the most exposed points.
La Gomera and El Hierro have wind warnings in place for up to 70 km/h, Specially in mid-range and peak areas from the north and south. In these cases, the dominant flow is also from the west, and the period of greatest risk is concentrated during the day, with a medium probability of reaching the expected thresholds.
Gran Canaria has issued wind warnings affecting the north, the peaks and the eastern, southern and western slopesGusts of up to 80 km/h are expected, with greater intensity anticipated in higher areas of the northern slopes and in some remote parts of the island. This is compounded by the impact of the wind on sea conditions along the northern coast, where warnings for high waves have also been issued.
In the eastern islands, Lanzarote and Fuerteventura maintain wind warnings of up to 70 km/hThese gusts will be most noticeable in inland areas and in the northeast of Lanzarote and La Graciosa. Although somewhat less severe than on the islands with higher elevations, these gusts could cause localized problems with light infrastructure, exposed roads, and outdoor activities.
Regarding coastal phenomena, AEMET has raised to orange level the warnings for rough seas in La Palma and Lanzarote, during specific time slots. In both cases, combined northwest swells are expected around 5 meters, associated with force 7 westerly winds, which poses a significant risk to navigation and recreational activities on the coast.
Island emergency plans and calls for caution
Faced with the series of warnings, the island councils have activated different levels of their Island Emergency Plans (PEIN)The Tenerife Island Council activated the PEIN (Special Plan for the Protection of Natural Resources) in a state of alert, as a preventative measure, in anticipation of rain, storms, wind and strong waves linked to the passage of Francis through the island.
The president of the Tenerife Island Council, Rosa Dávila, has stressed the importance of prioritizing the safety and protection of peopleespecially during times of celebration and outdoor events. In his statements, he urged citizens to avoid unnecessary risks and to follow the instructions of emergency services at all times.
In Lanzarote and La Graciosa, the island council has opted to declare the PEIN in pre-alert mode From the afternoon of January 1st until the morning of the following day, with the arrival of the front associated with Storm Francis from the west of the archipelago. The following are expected: persistent rainswith intensities of around 15 liters per hour in some sections, storms and southwesterly winds that will blow strongly in the leeward areas, especially in the northern and western half of Lanzarote and throughout La Graciosa.
This scenario prompted the recommendation to suspend outdoor activities During the hours of peak storm activity, particularly those expected along coastlines, in mountainous areas, or in hard-to-reach zones, the island councils remind everyone that, in such events, even minor acts of carelessness can lead to rescues or dangerous situations for people and emergency crews.
Episode details: very strong gusts, significant waves and heavy rainfall
The records collected during the first few days of the storm allow us to draw a detailed picture of Francis's impact on the archipelago. Regarding wind, the maximum gust was measured at Vallehermoso – Alto Igualero (La Gomera), where the 123 km/hSpeeds exceeding 110 km/h were also recorded in Izaña (Tenerife), while 90 km/h were recorded at Roque de los Muchachos (La Palma).
Other notable stations were Sabinosa (El Hierro) and Agulo (La Gomera), with values close to 90 km/hIn previous days, maximum gusts of 105 km/h had been reached in Izaña and more than 80 km/h in Sabinosa and in high areas of Agaete (Gran Canaria), which places this episode among the most intense in recent times in terms of wind in summits and midlands.
El sea state has followed a clearly unfavorable evolution, with combined northwest seas of 4 to 5 meters High waves are expected along numerous stretches of coastline, with forecasts predicting they will be exceeded on the north and west coasts of La Palma and the north coast of Lanzarote. Authorities emphasize that with waves of this magnitude and spring tides associated with the full moon, the impact on seafront promenades, ports, and breakwaters could be significant.
As for the rain, the first day of the year was particularly generous on the island of La Palma. The Roque de los Muchachos recorded 80,4 mm of precipitation, followed by Puntagorda with 75,2 mm, El Paso with 66,4 mm and Tijarafe with 58,4 mm. In Sabinosa (El Hierro) 42,6 mm accumulated, reflecting a notable episode in the western islands.
On the second day, rainfall was more unevenly distributed but continued to be concentrated in the peaks and mid-altitude areas. The highest accumulation was again recorded at Roque de los Muchachos, with 33,6 l/m², followed by Cuevas del Pinar (San Bartolomé de Tirajana, Gran Canaria)with 31 l/m², and in El Paso, La Palma, with 26,4 l/m². Rainfall exceeded 20 l/m² in Las Tirajanas (Gran Canaria) and in Valverde (El Hierro).
Basic recommendations for wind and wave storms
With alerts still active by strong winds and rough seasBoth AEMET (the Spanish State Meteorological Agency) and the Canary Islands Government are emphasizing a series of precautionary measures. Among the main ones is avoiding getting close to... dikes, breakwaters and surf zones During the storm, do not practice recreational nautical activities while the warnings remain in place and respect the closures or restrictions on seafront promenades and port areas.
On land, it is recommended to secure loose items Take precautions on rooftops and balconies, such as securing flowerpots or lightweight furniture that could be blown away by gusts of wind. Exercise extreme caution when driving on mountain roads and in mid-altitude areas where falling branches or rocks are possible. Travel in mountainous areas should be planned well in advance and, if possible, postponed until the weather improves.
Emergency services also remind residents that it is not advisable to travel through ravines and channels During periods of rain, even moderate ones, due to the risk of flash floods. If you live in low-lying coastal areas, it is advisable to closely monitor official announcements in case of particularly strong swells coinciding with high tide.
Francis is leaving behind in the Canary Islands an episode marked by a chain of instability, where the The focus has shifted from rain to wind and waves With barely a break between fronts, gusts exceeding 120 km/h in the mountains, combined sea levels nearing 5 meters, and active alerts across virtually the entire archipelago, authorities insist that the key in the coming days will be caution: follow official warnings, avoid the most exposed areas, and adapt daily activities to a storm that, while not causing widespread damage, maintains a high risk on coasts and in high-altitude areas.
