Tenerife, La Palma, and Gran Canaria Among Worst Hit as Alerts Begin to Ease

Storm Nuria has left a trail of disruption across Spain’s Canary Islands, with hurricane-force winds, torrential rain, and widespread weather alerts causing school closures, power outages, and travel disruption. The storm, which made landfall earlier this week, is now beginning to weaken, but lingering effects are still being felt.

Fierce Winds and Red Alerts

The island of La Palma was placed under a red weather alert—the highest warning level—on 3 April as wind speeds exceeded 130 km/h (80 mph). The storm lashed the island with sheets of rain and strong gusts, toppling trees and damaging infrastructure.

Nearby islands Tenerife, La Gomera, and El Hierro were also severely affected, placed under amber alerts, with dangerous wind conditions making travel unsafe and causing the closure of schools and public services.

Gran Canaria Also Impacted

Gran Canaria faced wind speeds of between 70 to 100 km/h (43 to 62 mph) and was placed on orange alert. Strong coastal winds and hazardous waves were reported, prompting marine warnings and advisories against outdoor activity in exposed areas.

In response, several ferry routes and local flights were cancelled or delayed as a precaution.

Schools Closed for Safety

Schools across Tenerife, La Palma, and La Graciosa were closed on Wednesday (3 April) due to safety concerns. Local authorities urged residents to stay indoors, avoid unnecessary travel, and follow updates from emergency services.

Storm Nuria Reaches Mainland Spain

While the Canary Islands bore the brunt of the storm, mainland Spain also experienced significant weather effects. The northern region of Galicia, parts of the Balearic Islands, and areas along the Cantabrian mountain range saw rain, wind, and a notable drop in temperatures.

What’s Happening Now?

As of 4 April 2025, the storm has begun to weaken, and weather alerts are being gradually lifted. However, residual effects remain:

• Rough seas and large waves along coastal areas
• Localised flooding in lower-lying regions
• Lingering wind gusts in elevated or exposed areas

Authorities continue to advise caution for residents and tourists, especially near coastal and mountainous zones.

Watch: Storm Nuria’s Impact in Tenerife and Gran Canaria

The True Impact – Tenerife & Gran Canaria on Red Alert!

Final Word

Storm Nuria has served as a stark reminder of how severe weather can escalate quickly, even in typically mild regions like the Canary Islands. As conditions improve, clean-up operations and damage assessments are expected to continue over the weekend.

Travellers are advised to check with airlines and ferry services for the latest updates, and residents should continue to monitor local alerts until all warnings are lifted.

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