Storm Francis arrives with heavy downpours
Storm Francis is now discharging its load over the Canary Islands. As forecast by the State Meteorological Agency (Aemet), the weather front first reached La Palma, where clouds have already dumped more than 70 litres per square metre on the island. Light rain has also begun to fall in Tenerife.
La Palma’s highlands bear the initial brunt
The mountainous areas of La Palma, and particularly the Roque de Los Muchachos, are currently the worst affected by the precipitation. The rainfall has been so intense that the island’s ravines are already beginning to fill with water, though they have not yet overflowed or posed a danger to the public. The most famous ravine, Barranco de Las Angustias, is already flowing strongly, with the water forcefully sweeping away debris.
Flight disruptions and airport delays
Storm Francis is also causing the first significant problems for air travel, particularly on routes to La Palma. Adverse weather conditions are preventing flights from operating normally, leading to delays of several hours according to Aena’s own website. Furthermore, the airport manager ENAIRE has confirmed air traffic regulations are in effect for routes in Tenerife, Gran Canaria, and Lanzarote.
Archipelago-wide weather alerts in force
The entire archipelago is under alert for various phenomena associated with Storm Francis. Heavy rainfall, strong winds, thunderstorms, and rough seas are expected across all the islands as the front gradually moves eastwards. Regarding wind, the strongest gusts in the early hours of this New Year were recorded in Tenerife’s highlands, with speeds of 82 kilometres per hour on Mount Teide, according to Aemet data.
Safety measures and trail closures
In response to the alerts decreed due to the passage of Storm Francis, the Tenerife Island Council has closed several hiking trails and prohibited activities such as canyoning.
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