State of Emergency Declared on Canary Islands as Storm Therese Brings Snow
Authorities across the Canary Islands have declared an emergency state following severe weather conditions brought by Storm Theresa, which has resulted in winds reaching up to 75mph and unexpected snowfall blanketing Tenerife.
Key Points
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1Storm Therese triggered an island-wide state of emergency across the Canary Islands due to severe conditions including winds up to 75mph (120km/h), heavy rain, and snow.
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2Authorities have issued yellow and orange weather warnings while advising travelers on Tenerife to take maximum caution or avoid unnecessary travel entirely.
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3The storm has caused significant disruption with widespread flight cancellations affecting British tourists just days before the Easter holiday period begins.
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4Extreme conditions led to flash flooding and landslides, marking this as one of the worst storms in over a decade for the region.
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5Despite Tenerife's reputation year-round sunshine beaches have been blanketed by snow shocking visitors who expected typical summer weather.
Developments
Perspectives
Tenerife has been blanketed in snow after Storm Therese brought winds of up to 75mph, heavy rain, and freezing conditions. The severe weather prompted authorities to declare a state of emergency across the island.
— [Mar 20, 13:49] Tenerife covered in snow as storm barrels over tourist hotspot (Independent.co.uk)'THEREZA' NAPRAVILA HAOS
— (Novosti.rs) [Mar 20, 16:30]"The worst to hit the Canary Islands" has been described by authorities as "the storm that brought severe weather and even snow."
— [Daily Mail] Mar 20Storm Therese brought winds up to 75mph, heavy rain, freezing conditions, and significant amounts of snow that blanketed Tenerife on March 18. In response to the severe weather causing icy roads and route closures including access to Mount Teide, authorities declared a state of emergency while activating Spain's Island Emergency Plan against unnecessary travel.
Tenerife and other parts of Spain's Canary Islands have declared a state of emergency due to Storm Therese, which brings 75mph winds up to three feet (10 meters) high waves. Authorities issued orange weather warnings that led to road closures on Mount Teide as well school suspensions while the Island Emergency Plan is activated from Wednesday afternoon through Sunday morning