Canary Islands Activates Wind Pre-Alert and Maintains Haze Warning for Weekend

The Government of the Canary Islands has issued a new pre-alert for strong winds, adding to the existing haze warning, affecting the entire archipelago from this Saturday, April 18.

Generic image of emergency lights reflecting on wet asphalt, symbolizing a weather alert.
IA

Generic image of emergency lights reflecting on wet asphalt, symbolizing a weather alert.

The Government of the Canary Islands has activated a wind pre-alert set to begin at 04:00 AM this Saturday, April 18, in addition to the existing haze warning across the entire archipelago.

This decision, made by the General Directorate of Emergencies, is based on warnings from Aemet and falls within the framework of the Specific Emergency Plan for Adverse Meteorological Phenomena (PEFMA). This combination of adverse conditions anticipates a challenging weekend for the islands.
The wind episode will be characterized by a southerly flow in the higher relief islands. Strong to very strong gusts are expected in the peaks of Tenerife, La Palma, and La Gomera. In Tenerife, the wind could extend to high mid-slopes on the leeward side, especially in the north of the island, where gusts may exceed 100 kilometers per hour.
In the eastern islands, the forecast indicates moderate easterly winds, with periods of higher intensity during Saturday morning. The most significant gusts are expected in western Fuerteventura and Lanzarote, potentially reaching strong or very strong levels in some areas of Fuerteventura. The situation is expected to gradually improve from Saturday night, with a clearer decrease in wind throughout Sunday.
The haze pre-alert, active since Thursday, will persist across all islands. The intrusion of suspended dust, which began lightly, has intensified and is expected to increase significantly over the weekend. The most affected areas will be the mid-slopes and peaks of islands such as Gran Canaria, Tenerife, Fuerteventura, Lanzarote, and La Gomera, particularly on south-facing slopes.

"The presence of haze will cause reduced visibility, which can affect traffic and air operations. Furthermore, it poses a health risk, especially for individuals with respiratory problems or chronic illnesses."

the authorities
Given this situation, authorities recommend extreme caution in mountain areas and exposed roads, securing outdoor objects, and avoiding outdoor activities during peak dust concentration hours. It is also advised to keep doors and windows closed and use appropriate protection if necessary, following official recommendations and staying informed about updates.