The Canary Islands have been hit with Storm Therese bringing heavy rain, high winds and snow to Tenerife with dozens of flights cancelled and travel chaos ahead of Easter
A popular holiday destination favoured by more than 2.5 million Brits a year for its sunshine and warm climate has been unexpectedly covered in snow just days before Easter holiday rush.
The Canary Islands have been issued an orange alert following days of torrential rain and strong winds, with the dismal weather set to persist. Forecasts suggest the adverse conditions could continue for at least another five days, potentially disrupting some holidaymakers’ plans.
Startling images from Tenerife reveal the beloved holiday island blanketed in snow, with icicles even forming in certain areas. Astonished tourists captured footage of the white-out at Teide National Park, with some roads closed due to the unexpected conditions.
Snowfall is anticipated to persist in parts of the island above 1,800-2,000 metres. Storm Therese has battered the islands with significant rainfall, resulting in flash floods and landslides in some areas.
Weather warnings were issued for the Canary Islands on Wednesday for various types of severe weather, including: storms, flooding, high winds, heavy rainfall and large waves, reports the Mirror.
Wind gusts have shockingly surpassed 74 miles per hour in some regions, with the warm sunshine typically expected by Brits nowhere to be seen for the next few days.
The dreadful weather has also caused travel disruption, with at least seven flights to the Canary Islands cancelled or diverted on Thursday. This follows the cancellation of 36 flights on Wednesday.
On Friday, conditions are anticipated to deteriorate and could mark the most severe phase of Storm Therese. Orange rain alerts have been declared for the islands of Tenerife, El Hierro, La Palma and La Gomera, according to Canarian Weekly.
As much as 11mm of rainfall is predicted to descend in merely 12 hours on the holiday destination. An amber rain warning has been declared for Gran Canaria, with 80mm of precipitation anticipated. Weather experts have also forecast hazardous maritime conditions between Tenerife and Gran Canaria, with swells reaching up to six metres and winds up to force eight.
Earlier this week, officials on Tenerife declared an ’emergency situation’ on the island, as they prepared for Storm Therese to hit.
The island’s council activated the Island Emergency Plan (PEIN), triggering a series of closures, restrictions and the suspension of outdoor activities on the island.
Tenerife president Rosa Davila told both locals and visitors that the activation of the Emergency Plan was not made lightly, and that it had been made ‘in advance’ to ‘protect public safety.’
Residents and visitors are being urged to avoid unnecessary travel, take care while driving, and follow official updates throughout the day.