Storm Claudia Approaches the Canary Islands
Storm Claudia is closing in on the Canary Islands, with the State Meteorological Agency (AEMET) forecasting its impact on the archipelago within hours. All islands in the province of Santa Cruz de Tenerife are under active yellow or orange warnings due to the risks posed by this severe weather phenomenon. The entire community is bracing for the storm, which is expected to bring thunderstorms from Wednesday, November 12th, through Thursday, November 13th.
Understanding the Weather Alert System
The succession of Atlantic fronts has led AEMET to maintain various warning levels across the Canaries. The adverse meteorological phenomena affecting the archipelago have triggered standard emergency protocols and the activation of the color-coded alert system, which ranges from yellow to red based on severity. Knowing what each level means and how the public should react is key to preventing risks and avoiding accidents. According to AEMET, these warnings indicate the probability of an adverse event occurring that could cause personal injury or material damage. With the imminent impact of Storm Claudia, these recommendations are especially important.
Yellow Warning: Low but Present Risk
The yellow warning is the first of the three meteorological alert levels and signifies a low but existing risk. In this scenario, the forecasted phenomena are not usually extreme, though they can affect everyday activities or those working outdoors. Currently, AEMET has activated yellow warnings for El Hierro, La Gomera, and the north of Tenerife. This type of alert is typically activated for heavy rainfall, wind gusts that can exceed 70 km/h, or hazardous coastal conditions.
Safety Recommendations for a Yellow Alert
In these cases, AEMET recommends staying informed about the weather’s evolution, especially if you live or work in exposed areas, and following official updates. The basic advice includes:
- Frequently consult official meteorological bulletins.
- Avoid outdoor activities, especially in coastal areas, on trails, or at summits.
- Remove objects or plant pots from balconies and rooftops that could be blown down by the wind.
- Drive with caution, particularly on secondary roads or those with a risk of landslides.
Although the risk is low, experience in the Canaries shows that episodes under a yellow warning can cause local incidents, particularly in ravines, on steep roads, or in the northern coastal areas of the islands.
Orange Warning: Significant Meteorological Risk
The orange warning implies a significant meteorological risk. At this level, the forecasted phenomena can cause serious impacts to property or people, especially in vulnerable locations or areas with direct exposure to wind, rain, or waves. Currently, these orange warnings are forecast for the entire island of La Palma, where up to 120 liters per square meter of rain could fall, and for the southern zone of Tenerife. From Thursday, these orange warnings are expected to extend to the south of Gran Canaria.
This level is usually activated in anticipation of torrential rains, winds exceeding 90 km/h, or heavy swell with waves over 5 meters, as is the case with the current Storm Claudia.
Essential Precautions for an Orange Alert
During an orange warning, AEMET and Civil Protection recommend adopting more restrictive measures:
- Avoid non-essential travel, especially by road or in mountainous areas.
- Secure doors, windows, and awnings against potential strong wind gusts.
- Do not approach the coastline or seafront promenades, as waves can overtop seawalls and cause accidents.
- Do not cross ravines or flood-prone areas, even if they appear dry.
- Pay close attention to instructions from local authorities and official information channels.
Local Emergency Plans and Official Updates
At this stage, town councils and island governments (cabildos) typically activate their emergency plans, close trails, parks, and access to risk zones, and issue statements through their social media or the Civil Protection ES-Alert system, which sends warnings directly to the mobile phones of residents in affected areas.
Experts note that AEMET may issue special warnings when several adverse phenomena coincide or when they are notable for their intensity or duration, such as DANAS (Isolated High-Level Depressions) or Atlantic storms. The agency constantly updates alerts through its official accounts, especially @AEMET_Canarias. But the most important thing to remember is that prevention is the best safety measure.
