Canary Islands Under Heavy Rain Alert This Sunday
The Spanish State Meteorological Agency (AEMET) has updated its weather warnings for the Canary Islands, with heavy rain, snowfall, and coastal disturbances expected. The province of Santa Cruz de Tenerife and the island of Gran Canaria will be under a yellow weather warning for heavy rainfall on Sunday, according to AEMET.
Specifically, the warning will take effect at 3:00 AM for La Palma, La Gomera, El Hierro, and Tenerife, and at 12:00 PM for Gran Canaria. The warnings will remain in place throughout Sunday and continue into Monday. However, no warnings have been issued for Lanzarote or Fuerteventura.
Forecasts indicate that rainfall could accumulate up to 15 mm in one hour, with the highest likelihood of impact in inland areas during the afternoon and along coastal regions at night.
Three pre-alerts for snow issued
The Canary Islands' Directorate General of Emergencies has declared a pre-alert for snowfall on La Palma, Tenerife, and Gran Canaria starting at 12:00 PM on Sunday, March 2.
Additionally, a pre-alert for rainfall will be in effect for Tenerife, Gran Canaria, El Hierro, La Gomera, and La Palma beginning at 3:00 AM on Sunday. Another pre-alert for coastal phenomena, initially activated last Thursday, remains in place. This warning affects the northern and western coasts of La Palma, El Hierro, Fuerteventura, and Lanzarote, as well as the northern coasts of La Gomera, Tenerife, and Gran Canaria, and the sea channel between Tenerife and La Gomera.
Advisory on the DANA
AEMET issued a special advisory on Friday, February 28, 2025, warning of widespread and intense rainfall in the Canary Islands over the coming days. This is due to the influence of atmospheric waves associated with a polar front affecting the archipelago.
One of these atmospheric waves is expected to position itself northwest of the islands by the end of Saturday, March 1, causing atmospheric instability that will lead to the formation of a weak low-pressure system, commonly known as a DANA.
Despite this forecast, AEMET warns of uncertainty regarding the final development of active vortices, which could alter weather conditions in the archipelago over the next few hours.
Although the likelihood is minimal, AEMET notes that Sunday's showers could be accompanied by small hail and occasional thunderstorms. While uncertainty remains, forecasts suggest that instability will persist throughout the week, bringing heavy showers at least until Tuesday.
