Holidaymakers hoping for a sunny escape to Spain during the February midterm might be in for a surprise – as weather warnings indicate they may need to swap their sunglasses for umbrellas in the Canary Islands.
The archipelago, a popular year-round destination, is preparing for an influx of visitors during the school break. However, an unexpected bout of wet and windy weather has led to alerts being issued across the islands.
The Canaries are bracing for lashings of rain and treacherous swells – not your typical image of this beloved retreat.
Spain’s meteorological agency, AEMET, warned: “From Monday to Wednesday there will be strong or very strong gusts of wind in the Canary Islands, showers more likely on Monday and Tuesday in the western islands and warnings for coastal areas on Tuesday and Wednesday.”
The mainland is also set to experience its share of rainfall due to this Atlantic disturbance. Lanzarote has been given a Status Yellow rain warning, alerting residents and tourists to expect “short but strong showers” that could deliver up to 15mm of rain in just one hour.
Lanzarote, along with La Palma, Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura, La Gomera, and El Hierro, are all under Status Yellow coastal alerts, reports Dublin Live.
Forecasters warn of treacherous sea conditions, with waves reaching 4-5 metres high and winds gusting between 50-61km/h offshore. Holidaymakers are advised to monitor local weather reports closely and exercise caution, as these conditions may disrupt outdoor plans and beach activities over the next few days.