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Santa Cruz de Tenerife, 22 March (Europa Press) –
The General Emergency Directorate of the Canary Islands Government has issued a Prealert for wind across the archipelago starting at 6:00 PM on Saturday, owing to an anticipated intensification of the Alisio over the coming hours, with gusts potentially reaching up to 80 kilometres per hour.
This decision has been made based on information from the State Meteorology Agency and other accessible resources, under the application of the specific Emergency Plan of the Canary Islands for adverse weather conditions (PEFMA), as stated by the Regional Department in a communication.
Consequently, moderate winds are expected from the Northeast with powerful gusts, which could be very strong, reaching speeds of 60 to 80 kilometres per hour. There is a possibility that gusts of up to 90 kilometres per hour may be recorded in the elevated areas and averages of southern Gomera.
In the islands of notable elevation, the gusts will primarily impact the western, northwestern, and southeastern slopes, along with the peaks of La Palma, La Gomera, El Hierro, and Gran Canaria. In Tenerife, the most vigorous gusts are anticipated in the Teno massif and along the island’s dorsal mountain range.
This situation compounds the existing prealert for coastal phenomena affecting the northern and western coastlines of La Palma, El Hierro, Fuerteventura, and Lanzarote, as well as the northern coasts of La Gomera, Tenerife, and Gran Canaria.
The forecast suggests combined sea waves could vary between 2.5 and 3.5 metres in height. In light of this situation, the Government of the Canary Islands advises the public to implement self-protection measures to mitigate risks.
In this context, residents are urged to secure items on windows, balconies, and rooftops, such as pots and any objects that could fall into the street and cause incidents, and to inspect their homes for unstable cornices, balconies, or façades that may lead to falling debris.
Given the circumstances, it is advised to minimise road travel, and if travel is necessary, to check the condition of the roads and exercise extreme caution due to potential obstacles on the paths.
In view of the coastal phenomena prealert, the General Emergency Department emphasises the significance of avoiding risks, such as refraining from walking along the coast or areas prone to wave breaking. As such, they recommend against driving on roads close to the shoreline and postponing nautical or sports activities.
For safety reasons, should abnormal waves be noticed, it is advisable not to remain close to the sea or approach it, even if conditions appear to calm momentarily, the General Emergency Directorate reiterates. In case of an emergency, they stress the importance of promptly dialling 112 and outlining the situation to dispatch specialised assistance.
