The Canary Islands have been plunged into chaos after an emergency was declared as Storm Therese batters the region with torrential rain, fierce winds and even snow.
The storm has been described as the worst to hit the Canary Islands in more than a decade, with the Spanish destination – popular with Brit tourists – under an orange weather alert after days of wild conditions.
Footage shared by stunned tourists shows Tenerife’s Mount Teide dusted in snow, transforming the usually sun-soaked island into a wintry landscape at higher altitudes.
Videos show hikers trudging through snow above 1,800 metres, where significant snowfall is still expected.
The severe weather has already caused major disruption, with at least seven flights cancelled or diverted on Thursday following 36 cancellations the previous day, leaving thousands of passengers stranded.
Gusts have exceeded 74mph in places, while relentless downpours have triggered flash flooding and landslides, according to local reports.
Spain’s State Meteorological Agency (AEMET) has warned some areas could see more than a year’s worth of rain in just days.
Authorities in Tenerife activated the island’s emergency plan on Wednesday, shutting roads, banning hiking routes and closing Teide National Park.
Tenerife has been plunged into chaos after an emergency was declared across the Canary Islands as Storm Therese batters the holiday hotspot with torrential rain, fierce winds and even snow
The storm has been described as the worst to hit the Canary Islands in more than a decade, with the popular Brit destination under an orange weather alert after days of wild conditions
Footage shared by stunned tourists shows Mount Teide dusted in snow, transforming the usually sun-soaked island into a wintry landscape at higher altitudes.
Footage shared by stunned tourists shows Mount Teide dusted in snow, transforming the usually sun-soaked island into a wintry landscape at higher altitudes
Sea conditions have worsened, with waves reaching up to six metres in some areas and warnings in place across several islands.
Gusts have exceeded 74mph in places, while relentless downpours have triggered flash flooding and landslides, according to local reports
Spain’s State Meteorological Agency (AEMET) has warned some areas could see more than a year’s worth of rain in just days
Authorities in Tenerife activated the island’s emergency plan on Wednesday, shutting roads, banning hiking routes and closing Teide National Park
Schools, nurseries and day care centres were also forced to close, with services for elderly residents suspended as a precaution
Forecasters said the storm was expected to hit its most intense phase yesterday, with up to 100mm of rain forecast in just 12 hours alongside strong winds and rough seas
The severe weather has already caused major disruption, with at least seven flights cancelled or diverted on Thursday following 36 cancellations the previous day, leaving thousands of passengers stranded. Pictured: Large waves caused by storm
Conditions are expected to ease slightly into the weekend, but disruption will continue with further heavy rain, gusts of up to 90km/h and waves still reaching up to five metres
Residents and tourists have been urged to avoid unnecessary travel, take care in coastal and mountainous areas and follow advice from local authorities as Storm Therese continues to sweep the region
Schools, nurseries and day care centres were also forced to close, with services for elderly residents suspended as a precaution.
Forecasters said the storm was expected to hit its most intense phase yesterday, with up to 100mm of rain forecast in just 12 hours alongside strong winds and rough seas.
Sea conditions have worsened, with waves reaching up to six metres in some areas and warnings in place across several islands.
Conditions are expected to ease slightly into the weekend, but disruption will continue with further heavy rain, gusts of up to 90km/h and waves still reaching up to five metres.
Residents and tourists have been urged to avoid unnecessary travel, take care in coastal and mountainous areas and follow advice from local authorities as Storm Therese continues to sweep the region.
On Wednesday Rosa Dávila, president of Tenerife, urged ‘maximum caution’.
She said: ‘Starting today at 3pm, the island emergency response system is put into operation to prepare for an episode of adverse weather that will affect Tenerife over the coming days.’
It comes after last month selfie-taking tourists cheated death after being hit by a monster wave while standing on rocks during a storm in the Canary Islands.
Footage captured near the Faro de Sardina del Norte, in Gran Canaria, showed a group of tourists standing on a rocky ledge as waves crashed ahead of them.
According to local reports, the group ignored warning signs and went through protective fencing around the cliffs, which drop over 66ft.
With their phones in hand, the tourists were seen in the clip standing close to the cliff’s edge as the waves grew stronger.
One man stood and watched the ferocious waters, while a woman sat on a rock next to him, filming the spectacle.
But after a few moments, a powerful wave was seen crashing into the rocky ledge, sending a surge of water over their heads as the panicked group ran to safety.
The wave smashed down onto the platform, sparking fear among the tourists who were heading for higher ground.
‘Once again, lives are put at risk by ignoring safety barriers at one of the most dangerous points on our coastline,’ Canarias 1500 Km de Costa, the association for the prevention of accidents in aquatic environments, warned.
