Severe Weather Warning for Canary Islands as Atlantic Storm Approaches
The arrival of an Atlantic storm named Bruna is set to bring heavy rain, storms, strong winds, and rough seas across the Canary Islands starting Friday, according to the State Meteorological Agency (Aemet). Warnings have been issued for the entire archipelago, with amber and yellow alerts announced for Sunday.
The storm will particularly impact the western islands. On Friday, only La Palma has a yellow warning in place for heavy rainfall, expected to last until 3pm. The island could see over 15 litres of rain per square metre in just one hour, mainly affecting southern and western areas.
By Saturday, La Palma will face multiple warnings: for wind (with gusts up to 70 km/h mainly in elevated areas and coastal spots), rain, storms, and high waves. From 9pm that evening, the rain warning will escalate to amber, with predictions of at least 100 litres per square metre over a 12-hour period.
On Sunday, the wind warning will also increase to amber, remaining in effect throughout the day alongside the rain alert. Yellow warnings for waves will last until 4am Sunday, while storm warnings will remain until 6pm.
Tenerife will see a yellow warning for strong winds from noon on Saturday, lasting until midnight, with gusts expected to reach 70 km/h from the southwest. On Sunday, an amber rain warning will cover the entire island, including the metropolitan area, predicting over 100 litres of rain per square metre in 12 hours, particularly affecting western and southern slopes. A simultaneous amber warning for strong winds in the north of the island will issue a maximum of 90 km/h gusts, and a yellow storm warning will be in place from midnight to 6pm.
Gran Canaria has a Sunday amber rain warning for the mountainous and southern regions, lasting from noon to midnight, with expected rainfall of at least 80 litres in 12 hours. The northern part of the island will face a yellow warning for strong winds, with gusts up to 70 km/h, and a yellow storm warning will apply all day.
La Gomera will be under an amber rain warning from midnight Sunday until 6pm, predicting at least 100 litres of rain in 12 hours, particularly in the western and southern areas. A yellow warning for strong winds and storms will be active across the island throughout the day.
El Hierro also faces an amber rain warning from midnight to 6pm on Sunday, with similar rainfall expectations and yellow warnings for strong winds and storms throughout the day.
Lanzarote and Fuerteventura will each have a yellow rain warning in effect on Sunday from noon until midnight, predicting at least 20 litres of rain per square metre in one hour, along with storm warnings starting at noon.
Residents and visitors are urged to stay alert to changing conditions and adhere to safety advice as the storm approaches.
