Canary Islands Brace for Rare Warning: Flights Canceled, Schools Closed
Storm Therese has brought strong winds and heavy rain to the Canary Islands. Aemet issued a special adverse weather warning on Wednesday afternoon.
Scope and timing of the warning
The alert runs from March 19 to March 22, 2026. It covers the entire archipelago with yellow and amber notices.
Aemet said the storm’s centre will sit northwest of the islands. Winds will shift to the west and southwest.
Wind, waves and precipitation forecasts
Gusts may exceed 90 km/h on summits, mid-altitude zones, and exposed slopes. Aemet also warned of gusts near 70 km/h elsewhere.
Winds of up to 100 km/h are expected in the mountains of Tenerife and La Palma. Other islands could face gusts around 80 km/h.
Coastal warnings are active across all islands. Waves could reach five metres, with significant maritime storms off La Palma and El Hierro.
A frontal system will cross from west to east. Heavy showers will hit the western islands and southern Gran Canaria.
Persistent rain is possible on high ground and southwest-facing slopes. Thunderstorms were flagged as a probability.
Snow levels may fall to 1,800–1,900 metres. Significant snow accumulation is forecast on the peaks of La Palma and Tenerife.
Forecast into the weekend
Friday will bring more rain to the eastern islands. The western islands should remain unstable, with showers and possible storms.
Strong gusts and rough seas are likely through the weekend. Winds should ease by Sunday, March 22.
Disruption to schools and flights
Authorities ordered school closures in several islands. Tenerife, La Palma, La Gomera, El Hierro and Gran Canaria closed schools on Thursday.
Officials said Lanzarote and Fuerteventura would close schools on Friday. No in-person education will take place on those days.
The situation has prompted headlines such as Canary Islands Brace for Rare Warning: Flights Canceled, Schools Closed. Residents and visitors were urged to stay informed.
Airport cancellations and diversions
More than 20 flights were cancelled on Wednesday across the Canary Islands. Several additional services were diverted or rerouted.
Most cancellations affected inter-island links. At El Hierro Airport, a flight from Tenerife North turned back due to poor weather.
La Palma Airport saw diversions, including a Madrid service sent to Tenerife South. Flights from Frankfurt and Zurich were rerouted to Gran Canaria and Tenerife South.
Filmogaz.com reported the majority of disruptions occurred on Wednesday. Passengers were advised to check with airlines before travel.
Safety advice
Officials urged people to avoid coastal areas during maritime storms. They also recommended limiting travel in exposed highlands.
Motorists should take care on mountain roads. Emergency services advised preparing for sudden weather changes.
