Travelers dreaming of sun-soaked holidays in Tenerife this March have been confronted by a very different reality: a rare island-wide state of emergency, sweeping closures, and warnings of ferocious winds and torrential rain. On March 18, 2026, at 3pm local time, Tenerife’s authorities activated their Island Emergency Plan (PEIN) as Storm Therese, the 19th named storm of the season, barreled toward the Canary Islands. The move marked one of the most significant weather alerts in recent history for the popular European holiday destination, according to Canarian Weekly and Express.
By March 19, the Spanish meteorological agency AEMET had escalated its warnings from yellow to orange, signaling a “significant risk” for both Tenerife and neighboring La Palma. The forecast was stark: wind gusts in northern Tenerife and La Palma were expected to reach up to 90 km/h, with south-westerly winds possibly exceeding 100 km/h in exposed areas. The metropolitan area, as well as the east, south, and west of Tenerife, along with Gran Canaria, La Gomera, and El Hierro, were all bracing for gusts up to 80 km/h, as reported by BirminghamLive and GB News.
But wind wasn’t the only threat. Authorities warned of heavy rainfall—potentially up to 11 inches (279 mm) in some parts of Tenerife—raising the risk of landslides and flooding, especially in the north, south-west, and higher ground between Santiago del Teide and Arico. Rainfall could exceed 300 liters per square meter in certain areas, significantly increasing flood risk, according to Express. Snow was also forecast above 1,800 meters (5,900 feet), prompting the closure of Teide National Park, a favorite among hikers and tourists. A pre-alert for snow was active for the peaks of Tenerife and La Palma, and a general pre-alert for storms, including isolated lightning and small hail, was in place across the archipelago.
The emergency declaration triggered sweeping measures: the closure of major roads such as the TF-445 leading to Punta de Teno, bans on access to hiking trails, forest tracks, and recreational areas, and the suspension of all outdoor events. Even the Maspalomas Carnival in Gran Canaria, which was scheduled to run from March 10 to March 22, was postponed. “The objective is to anticipate incidents and respond quickly should conditions worsen,” stated Blanca Pérez, Tenerife’s councillor for Security and Emergencies, in remarks reported by ChronicleLive. The government also ramped up monitoring of coastal areas, infrastructure, and known risk points, with additional surveillance at locations vulnerable to landslides or flooding.
Tourists and residents alike were urged to heed official updates, avoid unnecessary travel, and secure any loose outdoor items that might be swept away by the gale-force winds. “People should not enter closed or restricted areas,” AEMET advised, emphasizing the importance of public cooperation to minimize accidents and injuries during the storm’s peak.
The storm’s impact wasn’t limited to Tenerife. Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, and Fuerteventura were next in the firing line, with Storm Therese expected to reach these islands by March 20–21. The entire Canary Islands archipelago was under some level of alert, with orange-level wind warnings for La Palma and Tenerife, and yellow warnings for rain and rough seas across all seven islands. Sea waves of 13 to 16 feet (4–5 meters) were predicted, and in some places, such as La Palma and El Hierro, waves could reach a daunting 20 feet (6 meters).
Storm Therese’s arrival marked a record-breaking moment: it was the 19th named storm of the 2025–2026 cold season, surpassing the previous record of 17 storms set just two years prior. The frequency and intensity of these storms have raised questions among meteorologists about shifting weather patterns in the region. According to AEMET, the country was entering a period of marked instability, with strong winds, rainfall, and even snowfall anticipated in higher mainland regions. While mainland Spain was expected to remain relatively settled, with a mix of cloud and sun and only light rain in some western and southern regions, the Canary Islands were set to bear the brunt of the severe weather.
The storm also carried a blanket of Saharan dust, which was forecast to impact much of Spain from early morning on March 21. This dust, swept in by persistent breezes, can reduce air quality and visibility, compounding the challenges already posed by heavy rain and wind. Temperatures were expected to remain mild for the time of year, though slightly lower than earlier in March, offering little comfort to those caught in the storm’s path.
For British tourists—a group that flocks to Tenerife and Lanzarote in droves—these developments came as a shock. The UK’s Met Office issued urgent holiday warnings, and travel advisories highlighted the severe weather, advising travelers to check with airlines and tour operators before departing. “British tourists were issued an urgent holiday warning due to the severe weather conditions forecasted,” reported GB News. The Foreign Office echoed these cautions, noting widespread closures and the suspension of outdoor activities, and warning that the situation was fluid and could change rapidly.
As the storm intensified, local leaders emphasized the need for preparedness and calm. Tenerife’s island president, Rosa Dávila, underscored that the emergency measures were put in place early to protect public safety. “These restrictions are necessary to minimize the risk of landslides, flooding, and accidents in high-risk areas,” she explained, as cited by Express. The government’s proactive stance, including the activation of PEIN and the suspension of major events, reflected hard lessons learned from previous storms.
Despite the disruption, some residents and seasoned travelers took the news in stride, accustomed to the occasional fury of Atlantic weather systems. Still, the scale and severity of Storm Therese were unusual, and the record-breaking number of named storms this season has left many wondering if such emergencies will become more frequent in the future.
As the weekend approached, forecasts suggested that the worst of the storm would pass, but the risk of lingering showers, flooding, and hazardous conditions remained. Coastal monitoring, infrastructure inspections, and ongoing advisories would continue until authorities were certain the danger had subsided. For now, Tenerife and its neighboring islands remained on high alert, their communities united in the face of nature’s power and unpredictability.
With all eyes on the skies and officials urging caution, the story of Storm Therese serves as a stark reminder: even the sunniest of holiday paradises can be transformed, overnight, by the force of a single storm.