Quick Read
- Tenerife has activated its Emergency Plan as Storm Therese brings 60mph winds and heavy rain.
- AEMET has escalated weather warnings to orange, indicating significant risk to infrastructure and public safety.
- Major travel disruptions are occurring, including flight diversions and the closure of Teide National Park.
Tenerife Emergency Plan Activated Amid Storm Therese
Authorities in Tenerife have officially activated the island’s Emergency Plan (PEIN) as Storm Therese brings hazardous weather conditions to the popular tourist destination. The move, announced by President Rosa Dávila, follows urgent forecasts predicting 60mph wind gusts and the potential for up to 11 inches of rainfall in specific areas. The emergency measures, which took effect Wednesday afternoon, are designed to mitigate the risks of flooding, landslides, and infrastructure damage across the archipelago.
Significant Risk Warnings and Travel Disruptions
Spain’s national meteorological agency, AEMET, has escalated weather alerts to orange, signaling a significant risk to the public. As of Thursday, March 19, 2026, the storm has already forced the cancellation of the 15th Bluetrail by UTMB mountain race, impacting over 3,400 participants. Furthermore, transport networks are facing severe strain; at least one flight from Tenerife North Airport was forced to turn back, and inter-island ferry services remain under threat of disruption due to waves exceeding 5 meters. Authorities have closed Teide National Park, shut down major transit routes like the TF-445, and prohibited access to all hiking trails and recreational forest areas.
Impact on Easter Holiday Travel
The timing of the storm has created widespread concern among the approximately 2.8 million UK visitors who travel to the region annually, as many families prepare for upcoming Easter holidays. Officials are urging both residents and tourists to exercise maximum caution, avoid non-essential travel, and secure loose outdoor belongings that could become airborne. While some areas of the island have reported calmer conditions, the meteorological outlook remains volatile, with the storm expected to track across the remaining islands of the archipelago through the end of the week.
The escalation of the alert level to orange by AEMET underscores the severity of this specific weather event, moving beyond standard seasonal instability to a state of active emergency management that directly challenges the logistical capacity of the island during a peak travel window.