Tenerife Declares State of Emergency Ahead of Storm Therese's Arrival
Authorities in Tenerife have officially declared a state of emergency as Storm Therese prepares to make landfall on the island. The emergency warning, effective from today, will remain in place indefinitely due to forecasted dangerous conditions including heavy rainfall and powerful winds.
Immediate Safety Measures Implemented
In response to the impending storm, major roads across Tenerife are being shut down to prevent accidents and ensure public safety. Additionally, all hiking trails and Teide National Park have been closed to visitors, and all outdoor events have been suspended until further notice.
Blanca Pérez, the councillor for Security and Emergencies, emphasized that authorities are taking proactive measures to anticipate potential emergencies and respond swiftly, even under challenging storm conditions. "We are monitoring coastal areas, critical infrastructure, and known risk points closely," Pérez stated.
Severe Weather Forecast and Public Advisory
Storm Therese is expected to bring wind gusts reaching up to 60mph, with some regions of the island potentially receiving up to 11 inches of rainfall. Residents and visitors are strongly advised to avoid any non-essential travel and to secure outdoor items that could become hazardous projectiles in high winds.
Tenerife President Rosa Dávila announced, "Starting today at 3pm, the island emergency response system is fully operational to prepare for this adverse weather episode that will affect Tenerife over the coming days."
Regional Weather Impact and Contrasting UK Conditions
Yellow weather warnings have been issued across all other Canary Islands as well, with forecasts predicting intense winds and rough seas throughout the archipelago.
In stark contrast, much of England and Wales are experiencing unseasonably warm weather, providing a welcome respite from recent cold conditions. According to the Met Office, temperatures today could potentially reach 20°C in western Wales, following the year's hottest day so far of 19.2°C recorded in London earlier this month.
Meteorological spring in the UK spans from March 1 to May 31, and the current warm spell is attributed to warm southerly winds, high pressure systems, and the Foehn effect—a phenomenon where winds moving over higher ground create warmer, drier conditions on the leeward side.
This pleasant weather follows a recent cold snap that prompted the Met Office to issue yellow weather warnings for snow and ice in areas north of Stirling and around Fort William.
