SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE December 14 (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Cabildo of Tenerife has prohibited pedestrian access to the trails in Teide National Park from midnight this Saturday after a wind alert was issued by the Government of the Canary Islands.
Specifically, the General Directorate of Emergencies, relying on forecasts from AEMET and other available data, declared the alert this Friday morning in accordance with the Specific Emergency Plan of the Canary Islands due to Risks of Adverse Meteorological Phenomena, which will affect Tenerife starting Saturday.
The Cabildo president, Rosa Dávila, emphasises that this action is taken “to ensure the safety of individuals.”
Consequently, in light of the wind alert, “we have resolved to close the foot access trails to Teide as it is unsafe to use them.”
In the Cañadas del Teide and at elevations above 1,800-2,000 metres, strong south and southwest winds are anticipated, with average speeds of 50-80 km/h, and higher speeds cannot be ruled out on the Pico del Teide, where gusts may reach or exceed 90 km/h.
The regulations established by the Cabildo of Tenerife on November 30 address scenarios related to weather conditions.
It is stated that in official alert situations due to Adverse Meteorological Phenomena (AMP) declared by the Government of the Canary Islands, applying the PEFMA (Prealert, Alert and Maximum Alert), public access to the affected trails in Teide National Park (due to rain, snowfall, wind, or storm) will be prohibited, and these trails will be closed 24/7 while the alert is in effect.
Specifically, access will be restricted starting at 00:00 on Saturday for 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 at 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, including the sections that intersect with trails 38 (Cuevas Negras) and 12 (Mirador de Pico Viejo).
The Minister of Natural Environment, Sustainability, Security and Emergencies, Blanca Pérez, reminds individuals that those who do not comply may face fines of 600 euros.
Additionally, any rescue fees charged by the Government of the Canary Islands or the Consortium for Prevention, Fire Extinction and Rescue of the Island of Tenerife could range between 2,000 and 12,000 euros.
WEATHER FORECAST FOR THE WEEKEND
Reports from the Tenerife Cabildo suggest that an Atlantic storm forming to the west of the Canary Islands will create meteorological instability across the islands.
While the active fronts, precipitation, and storms will be situated far from the archipelago, a combination of strong and gusty winds, haze, predominantly medium and high cloud cover, warmer temperatures, and potential rainfall—mostly in the form of showers with heavy drops—is anticipated in Tenerife, arriving from the south.
In the Cañadas del Teide, at elevations above 1,800-2,000 metres, strong southerly and southwesterly winds are expected, averaging 50-80 km/h, with the possibility of even higher gusts on the Pico del Teide.
Furthermore, gusts that could reach or surpass 90 km/h are likely from Saturday morning until Monday the 16th, when strong winds are expected, albeit at a reduced intensity.
Along the coast, in the midlands and in the higher elevations below 1,800-2,000 metres, winds from the southeast are expected, with average speeds of 30-50 km/h and very strong gusts likely reaching or exceeding 70-80 km/h, with the potential for even more intense localised conditions in the crest areas of the Anaga massif, the dorsal mountain range, and the Teno Massif.
