Storm Therese Unleashes Havoc Across the Canary Islands
Storm Therese is currently wreaking havoc on the Canary Islands, with Tenerife and La Palma bearing the brunt of its fury. The severe weather system has brought an unusual combination of heavy rainfall, powerful winds reaching 100 km/h (62 mph), and significant snowfall at high altitudes, marking one of the most intense storms to hit the archipelago in over a decade.
Emergency Declarations and Widespread Disruptions
Authorities in Tenerife have declared a full-scale emergency as the storm intensifies. Spain's meteorological agency, AEMET, has issued multiple alerts that will remain active throughout the weekend. Orange warnings, indicating high risk, are in effect for northern Tenerife and parts of La Palma due to dangerous wind gusts and torrential downpours. Simultaneously, yellow warnings cover all seven islands for thunderstorms, heavy rain, and treacherous sea conditions with waves surging up to 6 metres (20 feet).
In a rare occurrence for this time of year, substantial snowfall has blanketed Mount Teide and surrounding peaks above 1,800–2,000 metres, creating hazardous conditions and prompting road closures.
Transport Chaos and Safety Closures
The storm has triggered widespread cancellations and safety measures across the islands. Over 40 flights were cancelled or rerouted by Friday, March 20, primarily affecting Tenerife North and South airports. Travellers are strongly advised to verify their flight status through Flightradar24 or directly with their airlines before heading to the airport.
Educational institutions, including schools and universities in Tenerife, Gran Canaria, and several other islands, were shut on Thursday and Friday. Critical roadways, such as access routes to Teide National Park and the TF-445 to Punta de Teno, are closed due to ice and snow accumulation. Major international events, including the Tenerife Bluetrail 2026 race, have been cancelled or postponed indefinitely.
Local Accounts and Tourist Frustrations
Local residents have taken to social media to share updates on the deteriorating conditions. A Tenerife-based car hire and bar owner, known as @theknightstrider1 on TikTok, provided a weather update to his 115,000 followers from Playa de las Américas. He described the situation as "pretty grim," with intermittent rain showers, overcast skies, and temperatures around 18 degrees Celsius. He urged visitors to carry umbrellas and rain macs to avoid getting caught in the unpredictable weather.
Tourists expressed their frustrations online, with one commenting, "Weather's been awful the last three days, can't wait to go home." Another traveller, set to arrive soon, noted they had packed an umbrella in anticipation. A relieved individual who changed their travel plans remarked, "This makes me so happy as someone who was going to go this week and changed to last week! Phew."
Another resident from Santa Cruz de Tenerife posted a TikTok video highlighting the severe conditions, captioning it, 'Rain, wind and choppy ocean. Flights cancelled and diverted. Flooding in El Médano and roads closed. The storms Theresa and Samuel are hitting Canary Islands.' He reported 11 flight cancellations the previous day and 10 more during the day, along with diverted flights and cancelled ferries due to dangerous sea conditions.
Impact on UK Travellers and Flight Disruptions
Flights from the UK to Tenerife are experiencing significant cancellations and disruptions due to Storm Therese. As of Saturday, 21 March 2026, over 36 flights have been cancelled earlier in the week, with additional disruptions reported. While many cancellations involve inter-island services, several international flights have been diverted or cancelled due to poor visibility and high winds.
Tenerife North Airport (TFN) has been the most affected, though Tenerife South Airport (TFS), which handles most UK flights, is also facing delays and rerouted services. Major airlines serving the UK to Tenerife route, including Ryanair, easyJet, Jet2, and TUI, are urging passengers to check their flight status before travelling to the airport. Conditions are expected to remain hazardous through Saturday, with gradual improvements predicted for Sunday, 22 March.
If your flight is cancelled, it is crucial to contact your airline immediately to discuss rebooking or refund options. The ongoing emergency underscores the severity of Storm Therese's impact on the Canary Islands, leaving both residents and tourists grappling with unprecedented weather challenges.
