Tenerife on alert for 100kmph winds as Storm Nuria batters Canary Islands (2025)

Warnings are in force for all of the islands, including a rare red weather alert for La Palma, where winds could reach 130kmph

Popular holiday destination the Canary Islands is bracing itself for winds of up to 130kmph as Storm Nuria batters the archipelago. A rare red weather warning has been issued for La Palma, while Tenerife and Gran Canaria are under amber alerts for strong winds.

Aemet, Spain’s national weather agency, has issued weather warnings for all of the Canary Islands, ranging from yellow to red, the highest level. They came into force this morning, April 3, and last until this evening.

La Palma is expected to bear the brunt of the storm and has been placed on red alert for gusts of up to 130kmph on the eastern coast. Other parts of the island, along with La Gomera, El Hierro, Tenerife and Gran Canaria are under amber alert for winds reaching 100kmph.

Fuerteventura, Lanzarote and certain areas of Gran Canaria are covered by yellow warnings for winds of 70kmph. Yellow alerts for rain have also been issued for La Palma, La Gomera, El Hierro and Tenerife.

All of the islands are covered by yellow coastal warnings for winds reaching up to 62kmph (force 7), with occasional force 8 (74kmph) winds forecast for seas between La Palma and Tenerife.

Responding to Storm Nuria, the Canary Islands government has raised the alert level for the islands, declaring a ‘maximum wind alert’ for La Palma and Tenerife. El Hierro, La Gomera, Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura, and Lanzarote remain under a state of alert for wind.

Both residents and tourists are urged to follow the government’s self-protection advice, which includes staying home where possible and securing all doors, windows and awnings. People are advised to stay away from old structures and anything which could fall or be blown away by the wind. More information can be found here.

People are urged to take ‘extreme caution’ in mountain areas and Aemet has forecast winds reaching ‘hurricane-force’ gusts in the peaks of La Palma and Tenerife.

Forecasting for Thursday, Aemet said: “Strong westerly winds with very strong gusts, reaching 100 km/h in exposed areas of the mountainous islands and 70 km/h in other areas. Hurricane-force gusts are possible on the eastern slopes of La Palma, and occasional gusts are possible on the peaks of Tenerife.”

Aemet added: “Initially, cloudy periods, with cloudy skies on the western slopes. The passage of a cloudy band from west to east throughout the day will gradually turn skies cloudy to overcast, especially on the westernmost islands, with possible heavy rain on the western slopes of the western province and moderate rain not ruled out on other slopes.

“Moderate rain is also likely in the southwest of Gran Canaria and, with a lesser probability, in Lanzarote and Fuerteventura in the afternoon. Some clearings will occur late in the afternoon.

“Minimum temperatures will show little change or will drop slightly. Maximum temperatures will generally rise, especially on the northeast slopes. Strong west or southwest winds with very strong gusts, especially intense on the northwest and southeast slopes and in high areas where they may reach 100 km/h. Hurricane-force gusts are likely on the eastern slopes of La Palma and occasionally on the peaks of Tenerife.”

Storm Nuria comes just before many UK families head to the Canary Islands for the Easter holidays. Fortunately conditions are expected to improve by the weekend, with no warnings currently in place for the islands from Friday onwards.

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