SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE December 13 (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Cabildo of Tenerife has restricted foot access to the trails of the Teide National Park commencing from 00:00 on Saturday, following the announcement of a wind alert by the Government of the Canary Islands.
Specifically, the General Directorate of Emergencies, based on AEMET forecasts and other available data, and in accordance with the Specific Emergency Plan of the Canary Islands for the Risks of Adverse Meteorological Phenomena, established the alert status on Friday morning due to anticipated winds across the island of Tenerife starting Saturday.
The president of the Cabildo, Rosa Dávila, emphasises that this action is being taken “to ensure the safety of individuals.”
Therefore, in light of the wind alert, “we have opted to close the foot access trails to Teide as it is unsafe to traverse them.”
In the Cañadas del Teide and at elevations exceeding 1,800-2,000 meters, a strong southerly and southwesterly wind is anticipated, with average speeds of 50-80 km/h, with the possibility of even higher speeds on the Pico del Teide, where gusts may reach or surpass 90 km/h.
The regulations enforced by the Cabildo of Tenerife on November 30 account for scenarios related to weather conditions.
Consequently, it is outlined that in official alert situations due to Adverse Meteorological Phenomena (AMP) declared by the Government of the Canary Islands under the PEFMA (Prealert, Alert, and Maximum Alert) that affect the trails of the Teide National Park (due to rain, snowfall, wind, or storms), public access will be prohibited and the trails will be closed around the clock while the declaration remains in effect.
Specifically, access is restricted starting at 00:00 on Saturday on the following trails: Trail number 7 Montaña Blanca-Pico Teide, the section between the summit of Montaña Blanca and the junction of trails 7 and 11; trail number 11 of the Mirador de La Fortaleza; trail number 10 (Telesforo Bravo); trail number 12 (Pico Viejo Viewpoint); trail number 23 ‘Regatones Negros’; trail number 28 ‘Chafarí’, and trail number 9 Teide-Pico Viejo-road TF-38, the section included in the confluences with trails 38 (Cuevas Negras) and 12 (Mirador de Pico Viejo).
The Minister of Natural Environment, Sustainability and Security and Emergencies, Blanca Pérez, reminds in a statement that individuals who do not comply may face a fine of 600 euros.
Additionally, this amount may be complemented by potential rescue fees from the Government of the Canary Islands or the Consortium for Prevention, Fire Extinction, and Rescue of the Island of Tenerife, which can range from 2,000 to 12,000 euros.
WEATHER PREDICTION FOR THE WEEKEND
Reports gathered by the Tenerife Cabildo indicate that the formation of an Atlantic storm to the west of the Canary Islands will cause meteorological instability across the islands.
The active part of weather fronts, precipitation, and storms will be distanced from the archipelago; however, a combination of strong and gusty winds, haze, primarily medium and high cloud cover, rising temperatures, and potential rainfall is expected in Tenerife, most likely in the form of showers with significant drops, moving in from the south.
In the Cañadas del Teide, at elevations above 1,800-2,000 meters, a strong southerly and southwesterly wind is predicted, with average speeds of 50-80 km/h, not ruling out higher speeds on the Pico del Teide.
Furthermore, gusts that may reach or exceed 90 km/h are anticipated from Saturday morning until Monday the 16th, the day when strong winds will continue, but at a reduced intensity.
Along the coast, in the midlands, and in high regions below 1,800-2,000 meters, winds are expected to come from the southeast, at an average speed of 30-50 km/h, with potentially very strong gusts reaching or exceeding 70-80 km/h, while not excluding some particularly intense local areas, including the crest region of the Anaga massif, the dorsal mountain range, and the Teno Massif.
