There is a warning alert for residents of Canary Island over an impending windstorm – Nuria, a windstorm of up to 130kmph getting set to sweep across the archipelago neighbourhood.
ENigeria News reports that La Palma is under a rare red weather warning, while Gran Canaria and Tenerife are under amber alerts due to a strong windstorm Nuria.
All of the Canary Islands are under weather warnings from Aemet, Spain’s national weather office, with yellow being the mildest and red being the most severe. These warnings will be in effect until tonight, April 3, having gone into effect this morning.
La Palma has been placed on red alert for winds of up to 130 kmph along its eastern coast, and is expected to see the worst of the storm. There is an amber notice for gusts of up to 100 kmph in other areas of the island, including La Gomera, El Hierro, Tenerife, and Gran Canaria.
Due to gusts of up to 70 kmph, yellow warnings have been issued for Fuerteventura, Lanzarote, and some areas of Gran Canaria. Rainfall-related yellow alerts have also been issued for Tenerife, La Palma, La Gomera, and El Hierro.
All islands are under yellow coastal warnings for winds reaching up to 62kmph (force 7), with occasional force 8 (74kmph) winds expected over the seas between La Palma and Tenerife, reports the Manchester Evening News.
In response to Storm Nuria, the Canary Islands government has elevated the alert level for the islands, announcing a ‘maximum wind alert’ for La Palma and Tenerife. El Hierro, La Gomera, Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura, and Lanzarote remain under a state of alert for wind.
Residents and holidaymakers are being reminded to heed the government’s guidance on safety, which includes recommendations such as staying home if able, and ensuring doors, windows, and awnings are properly secured. The advice stresses keeping a safe distance from dilapidated structures and objects that could be dislodged by strong winds.
People are also encouraged to exercise ‘extreme caution’ in mountainous regions, with Aemet predicting ‘hurricane-force’ wind gusts to hit the peaks of La Palma and Tenerife.
Aemet’s forecast for Thursday indicates “strong westerly winds with very strong gusts, reaching 100 km/h in exposed areas of the mountainous islands and 70 km/h in other areas. Hurricane-force gusts are possible on the eastern slopes of La Palma, and occasional gusts are possible on the peaks of Tenerife.”
In their additional commentary, Aemet noted, “Initially, cloudy periods, with cloudy skies on the western slopes. The passage of a cloudy band from west to east throughout the day will gradually turn skies cloudy to overcast, especially on the westernmost islands, with possible heavy rain on the western slopes of the western province and moderate rain not ruled out on other slopes.
“Moderate rain is also likely in the southwest of Gran Canaria and, with a lesser probability, in Lanzarote and Fuerteventura in the afternoon. Some clearings will occur late in the afternoon.
“Minimum temperatures will show little change or will drop slightly. Maximum temperatures will generally rise, especially on the northeast slopes. Strong west or southwest winds with very strong gusts, especially intense on the northwest and southeast slopes and in high areas where they may reach 100 km/h. Hurricane-force gusts are likely on the eastern slopes of La Palma and occasionally on the peaks of Tenerife.”
As Storm Nuria approaches, Irish families planning trips to the Canary Islands for Easter may be concerned. The good news is that the weather is set to improve by the weekend, and as it stands, there are no cautions in effect for the islands from Friday onwards.
