The Government of the Canary Islands is set to announce the resumption of classes across the archipelago tomorrow, April 4, 2025, pending the outcome of an afternoon meeting with the Directorate General of Security and Emergencies. José Manuel Cabrera, the vice-counselor of Education for the Government of the Canary Islands, indicated that if the maximum alert is lifted, and if forecasts suggest an improvement in conditions tonight, schools will return to normal operations. At 8:00 PM today, the Ministry will confirm through a statement whether educational centers will reopen.
Earlier today, the Government of the Canary Islands, through the Directorate General of Emergencies, ended a pre-alert situation for rain in the western islands and Gran Canaria, effective from 10:00 PM on April 3. This decision was made based on information from the State Meteorological Agency (AEMET) and other sources, as part of the Specific Emergency Plan for Adverse Meteorological Phenomena (PEFMA). The affected areas include La Palma, La Gomera, El Hierro, Tenerife, and Gran Canaria.
In a related development, the Government convened a technical coordination meeting this morning to assess the adverse weather phenomenon that has prompted a maximum alert for strong winds in La Palma and Tenerife, along with alerts for the rest of the archipelago. The meeting was led by the Directorate General of Emergencies, with participation from AEMET representatives and local officials. Manuel Miranda, the counselor of Territorial Policy, Territorial Cohesion, and Water, and Fernando Figuereo, the director of Emergencies, were among the attendees.
Weather forecasts predict that the strong winds affecting the Canary Islands will peak in the coming hours. The storm, which entered the archipelago early on April 3 from the west of La Palma, is expected to continue moving eastward, worsening conditions. Wind intensity is forecasted to reach its maximum during the central hours of the day before gradually subsiding later in the evening.
So far, the strongest gusts have been recorded in Santa Cruz de La Palma, reaching up to 130 kilometers per hour. Other islands, including El Hierro, Tenerife, and higher areas of Gran Canaria, have experienced strong gusts, though not exceeding 100 kilometers per hour.
During the initial hours of this weather event, the Emergency and Security Coordination Center (112) of the Government of the Canary Islands has managed approximately twenty incidents across the westernmost islands, including landslides on roads and fallen branches. Gran Canaria has reported the highest number of incidents, particularly in the northern and northwestern regions. Notably, a power line tower fell onto several vehicles in Gáldar, causing only material damage, while a broken glass at a bus stop in Agaete resulted in minor injuries to one individual.
Flight cancellations have also been reported in La Palma due to the intense winds experienced in the first half of the day. Although significant wave activity has led to a coastal alert being declared across the archipelago, no major incidents have been reported as a result of this condition. Rainfall is expected to range from light to moderate, particularly in the western islands and southern Gran Canaria, where accumulations could be significant, especially in the Caldera de Taburiente National Park in La Palma.
As of 9:00 AM today, the western province and Gran Canaria have been under a pre-alert for rain, reflecting the potential for adverse weather conditions. The Directorate General of Emergencies continues to monitor the situation closely and has indicated that further measures may be taken depending on how conditions evolve.
Miranda emphasized the importance of collaboration and communication among all administrative levels since the onset of this weather situation. The government is committed to ensuring the safety of the population while minimizing risks associated with the storm.
In summary, the situation remains fluid as authorities prepare for potential changes in weather conditions that could further impact the Canary Islands. Residents are advised to stay informed through official channels and to exercise caution as the storm progresses.
