Storm's beautiful and beneficial side

Storm 'Therese' which badly affected the Canary Islands for a full week is now history and the damage it did will take some time to repair, but it also had a very beneficial side. It brought lots more badly needed rain after years of drought to end a winter that was was colder and more rainy than average in the archipelago. Most irrigation-water reservoirs are now full and overflowing. I took above image many years ago, when this reservoir, the Presa de La Quintana near Arure in La Gomera's Valle Gran Rey municipality, was full to capacity after heavy rains. It had been almost empty for years, but is now overflowing once more, guaranteeing irrigation water for the fields below for 2-3 years. The land you can see in the distance just above the dam is the southernmost Canary Island of El Hierro.

Now, I'd also like to share the beautiful image below of the waterfall at Chorro del Lance in Guada (upper Valle Gran Rey) which is only seen occasionally after copious precipitation. The church of San Antonio is in the foreground with the main road curled around it. The prayers for rain in that church were certainly heard. This well composed and executed photo was taken by ©Mauricio Zanello after the first heavy rains of the storm, but before the final deluge.

A very happy and peaceful Easter to you all !

La Gomera hit by storm's torrential rain, see videos

 

Storm Therese (see previous posts HERE) caused lots of disruption and damage all over the Canary Islands during it's week-long life as one of the longest-lasting low pressure systems to affect the archipelago. There were well over 2.200 incidents reported, but thankfully all passed without any major injuries, but it did cause a lot of distress and material losses.

 

Yesterday, which was the final day of the dying storm, it was La Gomera's turn to be hit by torrential downpours. The worst affected areas were Alajero and Valle Gran Rey in the island's south and south-west, respectively. In Guada, the upper Valle Gran Rey, the island government's weather station reported over 105mm of precipitation and most of that came down in less than two hours. This caused numerous waterfalls, landslides and rockfalls and the barranco in the bottom of the valley became a raging torrent in a short time. Roads were impassable and the only road in and out of Valle Gran Rey had to be closed due to the amount of rocks and debris.One of the roads to Alajero was also closed as was the road along the coast in VGR and other minor roads in various parts of the island. Damage to properties, vehicles and infrastructure will take some time to fix, but miraculously there were no injuries.

The island's government declared an emergency and troops from the military emergency unit UME arrived by ferry to help with the clean-up operations. As many locals and tourists were left stranded with some having to catch flights in Tenerife, extra sailings by 'Benchi Express' ferry, which connects Valle Gran Rey and Alajero with the island's capital, were scheduled to facilitate arrivals and departures. As I write the clean-up continues and having previously experienced similar incidents I am confident that soon normality will return. Storm Therese has had it's final word and now is history and will be remembered for a long time. The weather for the coming days should be fairly good with the usual trade winds returning and very little rain, if any, expected.

I leave you with a warning. During the next few days caution is still advised because when the sun heats up, dries and expands loosened rocks and debris, rockfalls and landslides can be expected. 

Below a dramatic video of part of a restaurant collapsing in Gran Canaria after a landslide a couple of days ago. Thankfully there was no one in it there at the time:

 

Storm Therese ''hasn't spoken the last word yet'' after hundreds of incidents all over the Canary Islands

The road to Erque and Erquito in La Gomera, badly damaged during storm Therese (Image: rtvc.es)

A 15 ton boulder blocking a road in Gran Canaria yesterday (Image: canarias7.es)

Storm Therese (see previous post) in Valle Gran Rey, La Gomera

Update Sunday March 22nd, 9pm: 

Upgrade of the rain warning for La Gomera for tomorrow, Monday March 23rd 2026, to level orange for locally very heavy rain and showers from 3pm until midnight with up to 30mm in just one hour possible.

Additional status yellow warning of thunderstorms valid from 10pm tonight until midnight tomorrow. The same upgraded warnings have been issued for the southern half of Tenerife and El Hierro island.

Update Monday morning March 23rd 2026:

Yet another update. The low is now almost over the Canary islands at around 1001hPa and the situation is very difficult to predict, as the dying system will be over or very close to the archipelago for a couple of days more. AEMET has dropped the t-storm warnings even though their prediction shows isolated thunderstorms over the islands, which may well happen. They've also issued an additional orange level rain warning for La Gomera, valid from 10am until 3pm today, when the previous orange warning for same will kick in until midnight. Tuesday then remains under a status yellow warning for heavy showers and now another additional yellow warning for same has been issued for Wednesday, valid until noon. San Sebastian de La Gomera had very heavy rain last night around 2am, when a whopping 47,5mm fell in a short time, while the rest of the island had very little rain. That's how unpredictable the situation is at this stage of a low pressure system that is lasting about a week(!) until it has finally completely dissipated on Thursday.

See next post HERE...

Storm 'Therese' will affect Canary Islands for days

Rain in San Sebastian de La Gomera recently 

Yet another low pressure system is beginning to form north of the Canary Islands and has been named 'Therese'. This depression comes after an unusually cold winter which on the positive side has brought copious rainfalls after several years of drought.

Storm Therese's exact track is still a bit uncertain, but it will most likely affect the Canarian archipelago from Tuesday afternoon, March 17th 2025, and could last until early next week. Usually storms last a day or two but this depression is very slow-moving and long-lasting. Some models suggest it could be right over these islands on Sunday or Monday while beginning fo fill, but that is too far ahead for a reliable forecast.

Anyway it is best to be prepared for intense rainfalls, resulting rockfalls, gusty high winds (predominantly westerly), thunderstorms, very high waves with rough seas and colder than normal temperatures with snow on the highest peaks. At least some disruption can be expected and a few larger events like the 'Tecnologica' festival in Tenerife have already been postponed.

It is expected that several official alerts and warnings will be issued once more detail is known, but it definitely won't be hiking nor beach weather for several days.

You have been warned...

Update March 17th 2026:

The depression is now expected to be situated just W-NW of Madeira on Thursday with a pressure of around 982 hPa. The first warnings for Thursday (below) have been issued by the Spanish meteorological service (aemet.es click this for their latest updates), and further warnings are expected for the following days.

Update March 18th:

Storm Therese is beginning to make its presence felt with La Gomera's Alto de Igualero weather station recording a gust of 108 km/h this morning and rain reported all over the island. The worst is yet to come and La Gomera's island government activated their emergency plan. All walks, trails, paths and all public recreational amenities have been closed. Schools, universities, etc., will close later today for the remainder of the week in all Canary Islands and the public have been advised to avoid unnecessary travel and outdoor activities over the coming days. The Spanish meteorological service Aemet has also issued a special advisory for the Canary islands which states that the adverse weather will continue ''at least'' until Sunday, and looking at the latest weather models I'd say  Monday at least. Below are the extended official Aemet warnings for Friday, but these may change as the situation develops (ed. they did change and I replaced the previously posted ones with the new ones):

Update March 19th, 00:30 am :

The warnings below for Saturday have just been issued:

Update March 19th, 9am:

There are now two more lows near the centre which will be absorbed, with several fronts yet to arrive in the Canaries. Below the OPC chart and the latest satellite image of this impressive system:

IMPORTANT UPDATE lunchtime 19-03-2026:

The AEMET warnings for Friday and Saturday have been upgraded, esp. for La Gomera, with higher orange level warnings for wind and rain. Precipitation tomorrow may be as much as 100mm in 12 hours. I have replaced the previously posted warnings above with the latest ones.

FUTHER UPDATES HERE... in the post published on Sunday 22nnd of March 2026

Rainy New Year('s)

A healthy, happy and peaceful 2026 to all who read this blog !

2026 is forecast to start with unsettled weather as storm system Francis west of the Iberian Peninsula is going to affect the Canary Islands. Strong winds, cooler temperatures and rainy spells which may be prolonged, heavy and accompanied by thunderstorms, are expected on New Year's Day. The Spanish meteorological service AEMET has issued warnings for the above. The weather for the following days remains unsettled, but gradually improving. Keep informed by checking AEMET (click). 

The locals will be very happy with the badly needed rain and will see it as a good sign for 2026.

HAPPY NEW YEAR !

Severe weather alert for Canaries this weekend

Archive image

Storm 'Emilia' will bring very unsettled conditions to the Canary Islands this weekend with very rough seas, unusually high waves and swell, intense rainfalls, thunderstorms and very strong northerly winds predicted, all accompanied by a marked drop in temperatures which could even result in snow falling in the mountains above 1800 metres. Numerous weather warnings have been issued and local governments have activated their emergency plans as a precaution, while the Canary Islands' directorate for emergencies has issued a maximum alert with all events postponed or cancelled. In La Gomera all hiking paths and walks as well as all facilities in Garajonay national park have been closed. Avoid unnecessary outdoor activities and travel. See weather alerts by AEMET here...

The warnings are in force from this Friday afternoon, Dec. 12th 2025, until Sunday lunchtime, but be aware that even when low Emilia has passed and warnings have been lifted, the danger of rockfalls persists for some time, especially in the mountainous terrain of La Gomera.

Updated weather warnings issued for Canary Islands

An additional status orange warning of very heavy downpours, thunderstorms and strong winds has been issued for the western Canary Islands a bit earlier today November 12th 2025 by the Spanish meteorological agency. In La Gomera the island's government has activated its emergency plan and asks to avoid travel and to stay away from all hiking trails, walks and unpaved forestry tracks. Ravines, valley floors and low lying areas should also be avoided due to the risk of flash flooding as rain accumulations of up to 30mm in just one hour can be expected.. Same applies to the other western Canary Islands of Tenerife, La Palma and El Hierro. The warnings are valid from lunchtime today until tomorrow afternoon. Status yellow warnings of thunderstorms and wind have also been issued. A heavy swell with large waves can als be expected. Gran Canaria will be under similar warnings tomorrow only while Fuerteventura and Lanzarote will come under yellow warning (see image above). Go to the Spanish meteorological service's (AEMET) official website in English for further detail.

All this is due to a large area of low pressure, presently around 980 hPa, situated NNW of the Canary Islands and off the WNW of the Iberian peninsula, named storm Claudia.

Please be aware that there is a high risk of rockfalls, which will remain for a couple of days once the rain has cleared away and the sun heats up the wet mountainsides.

That's why you should always heed the warnings:

This massive lump of rock fell during storm 'Olivier' which brought very heavy rainfalls to La Gomera and all over the Canary Islands. The rock above fell onto the road between Las Hayas and El Cercado, completely blocking it. In total there were about 50 incidents, but thankfully no injuries, as most people did heed the warnings. Thanks to La Gomera's undaunted, dilligent and ever-vigilant road maintenance crews all roads were soon cleared again. (Image: gomeranoticias)

Heavy rain and thunderstorms in Canaries tomorrow

 While it is warm, sunny and very dry with high pressure over Ireland, the Canary Islands can expect storm 'Olivier' with wind, heavy rain and thunderstorms tomorrow Wednesday, April 9th 2025. Status orange warnings have been issued by the Spanish metereological service for heavy downpours, which could dump up to 30mm of rain in just one hour. Thunderstorm warnings have also been issued, with falls  of hail possible, and  in the western Canaries there are status yellow wind warnings of southwesterly gale gusts. 

The warnings are valid from tomorrow and begin at different times in each island, so please click the official AEMET.ES website for more detail (in English). All warnings expire later on Thursday, but further showers can be expected over the following days as low pressure close to the Canary Islands becomes almost stationary and is forecast to dissipate only slowly.

it it advisable to be cautious over the coming days and hiking and other outdoor activities in the mountains and ravines should not be undertaken . Travel should be avoided, but if you need to drive then be very careful. Rockfalls and landslides can be expected, which might happen as a result of loosening material due to temperature changes, erosion and especially during and after rain. Don't be deceived by longer sunny intervals as the sun can add to the erosive process when rocks and soil expand in the sun's heat after cracks and crevices have been filled with debris by precipitation.

All a bit unusual for this time of the year and not great news for those on holidays in the Canary Islands, but the rain is very badly needed and wanted by locals.

Storm Hermine: Heavy rain in Canaries - WARNING

                                                                             Archive image

A tropical storm named Hermine has formed north of the Cabo Verde Islands and is moving slowly north towards the Canary Islands. The associated heavy rainfall is imminent in the Canaries and warnings have been issued by the Spanish authorities for today, Sept. 24th 2022, tomorrow, and Monday. The American National Hurricane Centre has also issued a public advisory in its latest bulletin:

BULLETIN
Tropical Storm Hermine Advisory Number   4
NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL       AL102022
800 AM CVT Sat Sep 24 2022

...HEAVY RAINS EXPECTED THROUGH THE WEEKEND FOR THE CANARY
ISLANDS...
...FLASH FLOODING POSSIBLE IN HIGHER ELEVATIONS...

HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND
----------------------
RAINFALL: Tropical Storm Hermine is expected to produce 3 to 6 (75
to 150 mm) inches of rainfall with localized higher amounts up to 10
inches (250 mm) across the Canary Islands through this weekend. This
rainfall may cause some flash flooding in areas of higher terrain.

These rainfall amounts are especially hazardous after years of drought in the Canaries. Rockfalls and landslides can be expected. Do not walk or drive in the mountains. The Canarian government has issued the a ''maximum alert'' and recommends to avoid all travel and all outdoor activities. Traffic disruption is to be expected. All events have been cancelled. Flooding in valleys and all lower regions is also possible. Thunderstorms have been predicted which can deposit extreme amounts of precipitation in a short space of time. The western Canary Islands are most at risk and for these level orange warnings have been issued for La Gomera (even red for parts of La Palma island and same for all of El Hierro island), as well as numerous public advisories by local authorities. Rainfall may accumulate up to 30mm in just one hour in La Gomera

One bit of good news is that winds won't be extreme, but still an added hazard with warnings in place of peak gusts of around 70 km/h, but possibly higher in exposed mountain areas.

Below is a summary of the warnings issued for tomorrow, Sunday 25th of Sept. 2022:

Abundant rain in La Gomera's north

While all of La Gomera got some decent precipitation over the past few days, the northern regions received a lot of rain yesterday. The weather station at the visitor's centre above Agulo reported just over 70 mm of rain yesterday and the station in Hemigua recorded almost 40 mm. The above video by gomeraverde.com shows one of the many waterfalls in Agulo yesterday.

The next few days should bring sunny spells but also further showers to La Gomera and some of these may again be heavy with a risk of isolated thunderstorms. Caution is advised when out and about, even when it is not raining, as rocks and soil may have become unstable due to the rain and will expand during sunny spells.

More rain showers expected

More welcome rain showers are expected today and a status 'yellow' weather warning has been issued for toady, Friday March 29th 2019, for rainfalls of up to 15mm in one hour. Isolated thunderstorms may also form. Caution on roads and hiking paths is advised.

For the coming days more showers are forecast, but again with good sunny periods at times.

Rain at last

After weeks of extremely dry and dusty conditions some  significant amounts of rain fell all over La Gomera this morning. In the southwest up to 16.4 mm ( in La Dama) had fallen and most of the island had received between 7 and 14 mm by 10 am. There's a status 'yellow' weather alert for the western Canary Islands for rain up to 20 mm in one hour and for isolated thunderstorms, valid until tonight. Caution is advised on roads and hiking paths.

For the next few days some further rain showers may be expected, but with good sunny periods too.

A welcome return to normal winter weather

Valle Gran Rey at 9 am this morning after a light shower

This winter all of December and the first half of January easterly dry winds with spells of Calima have dominated the weather in The Canary Islands, worsening the general drought. Finally the winds have returned to the more normal northerly directions, clearing the air and bringing some well-scattered light showers today. Even though high pressure is set to continue to dominate our weather, some more light to moderate showers of short duration are expected which will mostly affect northern areas, but the odd one might also fall in the south. This weather pattern is forecast to continue over the coming days. Moderate to fresh northerly winds will bring the temperature down a bit, but there will be good sunny periods, too, especially in the south where the temperature will reach the low twenties in the afternoon. The sea temperature still averages 20-21ºC around La Gomera, so it's not too cold for a swim.

A reminder: Please save water, as even La Gomera's abundant water supply is not an infinite resource and there hasn't been any significant rainfall for more than five years...

Weather warnings for Christmas Eve 2018

The Spanish meteorological sevice has issued weather warnings for La Gomera and the rest of the Canary Islands for tomorrow, Christmas Eve 2018. Easterly winds are expected to gust to 80 km/h and will bring dust from the Sahara which could reduce visibility to just 3000 metres. Rough seas are to be expected. 

This weather, called Calima here in the Canary Islands, is expected to gradually improve from Christmas day. There won't be much heat with this Calima episode as we're in mid-winter when the Sahara is fairly cold.

Light Calima this week

Forecast of dust concentration for Thursday, Dec. 6th 2018, a bank holiday in Spain

A very stable and blocking high pressure system over the Iberian peninsula and North Africa is steering an easterly airflow over the Canary Islands and this is not expected to change for the remainder of the week. It is bringing very dry and warm air from the Sahara, and from later today some dust is expected resulting in mostly sunny weather with a light Calima (click for more information).

Thankfully the Sahara is not too hot at this time of the year and recent rains over North Africa have kept the dust down, so the effects on the Canaries should be minor, but warmer than usual temperatures, dry air with mainly fresh easterly winds, strong and gusty at times, will be felt here. Make sure to drink enough water.

The weather should return to normal over the weekend, when the winds are expected to turn back to the usual NE trade winds bringing clearer air, according to most forecasting models.

Video of heavy rains and flooding in La Gomera

Yesterday's very heavy downpours caused flooding in the island's capital San Sebastian de La Gomera, as the above video by Gomera Today shows. As in most of the other Canary Islands a lot of rain fell in a relatively short time with which the drainage system couldn't cope, here leading to flooding of several business premises in the centre of the capital. The video also shows the many waterfalls in the valley above the town and roads turning into rivers. 

 Radar at 22:40 hrs last night
during the thunderstorm

Last night there was a spectacular thunderstorm which brought some more rain, but thankfully without further incidents. The AEMET weather station in San Sebastian de La Gomera yesterday recorded 26,4 mm of precipitation and most of that fell in the afternoon when most of Hermigua weather station's recorded total of about 45 mm fell as well. As all of the island got some rain, caution on the roads and hiking paths today and in the coming days is advised when the sun heats and expands drying material and debris that then may fall.

The forecast is for some further well scattered showers today gradually dying out, and for a ridge of high pressure to bring mostly sunny weather over the weekend.

Ominous looking sky yesterday afternoon seen from Valle Gran Rey, where most of the rain fell in the morning though.

Showers today Nov. 22nd 2018

These two were caught by a heavy shower coming down the mountain this morning. She looks drenched
while he's closing the umbrella as the next sunny period starts. At least they had rain gear.

There will be scattered showers today and some may be heavy and even an odd thunderstorm can't be ruled out. Good sunny spells also, these best in the southern coastal regions. It will turn noticeably colder tonight, but daytime maxima should reach the low twenties in the south. The mainly northerly winds will remain mostly moderate, but fresher in mountain areas. Tomorrow morning some more showers are expected but they will become less frequent as the day progresses. The outlook for the weekend is for more settled weather as a ridge of high pressure is expected to build over the Canary Islands.

Warning: Rainy day(s)...

...ahead, and they're welcome by local farmers who're just after planting the first spuds and other crops for you to enjoy, and by those who want to have a shower here without feeling guilty. 

BUT there's a status 'yellow' warning of heavy showers and possibly persistent rain of up to 15 mm per hour for  Wednesday 21st of  November 2018 valid for La Gomera from 9 am 'til 9 pm. More showers, some possibly heavy, are forecast for Thursday. After Tuesdays perfect day for exploring the island (images on this blog soon), please don't be deceived and avoid the spectacular valleys, cliffs, and mountains.

Thankfully it won't be very windy, but the downside of that is that the latest cold front will have more time to 'linger' and discharge precipitation to leave locally persistent rain, if and when and where. Even the odd thunderstorms cannot be ruled out. The temperature is expected to go down a  bit from tomorrow in all areas, but more markedly so in the mountains. However, still feeling warm by northern European standards and up to the low twenties ºC in the southern coastal areas.

...and don't you dare blame me for catching a nice sunny spell on a southern beach and/or a heavy shower while there. You have been warned...

For all the western Canary Islands, including all of Tenerife a 'Yellow' rainfall warning applies for Wednesday and for La Palma island they've given a 'status orange' warning.  

Summary: VERY HEAVY SHOWERS EXPECTED - DO NOT HIKE and TAKE CARE !
Tonight there's a halo around the moon, and an ol' saying goes: Ring around the moon - rain coming soon.
UPDATE: La Gomera rain alert now valid from Wednesday 1 pm 'til midnight

Relative vorticity 500mb  for Friday 12:00h UTC. Stay tuned...

Video of large waves smashing into block of flats

Yesterday's heavy swell, which damaged some coastal properties on Tenerife and La Palma islands, was felt all over the Canary Islands. More than 100 people had to be evacuated from their dwellings in the northern coastal town of Garachico and near Tacoronte on Tenerife. In the south of Tenerife waves smashed into into the restaurant of a hotel in Adeje while guests were eating. The above video by 'Beats From Tenerife' shows large waves smash into a block of flats and tearing into balconies three floors up, leading to the evacuation of the lower floors. In La Gomera some stretches of coastal roads were closed to traffic but thankfully no incidents were reported.