Tenerife is preparing for an episode of intense rains and storms during this Sunday, November 1, coinciding with the celebration of All Saints’ Day. The Government of Canarias, through the Directorate General of Emergencies, has decided to declare the alert situation due to rain in the metropolitan area of the island starting at 12:00 hours, after the latest weather forecasts pointed to a worsening of the atmospheric conditions and the possibility of locally heavy rainfall.
The State Meteorological Agency (AEMET) has activated the orange warning in the metropolitan area of Tenerife, where up to 30 liters per square meter could accumulate in one hour. The warning will be in effect from Sunday noon until 00:00 hours on Monday, November 2, while other areas of the north of the island will remain under yellow warning. The episode responds to the approach of an isolated storm west of the archipelago, associated with a depression at high levels, which will favor the entry of precipitation bands and the appearance of storms on several islands.
The decision of the regional Executive has been adopted taking into account the data from AEMET and other weather sources, in accordance with the Specific Emergency Plan of Canarias for Risks from Adverse Meteorological Phenomena (PEFMA). The authorities warn that there is still uncertainty about the exact location and intensity of the showers, so further changes to the warnings in the coming hours are not ruled out.
What time does the rain alert in Tenerife start this Sunday
The rain alert situation will begin at 12:00 hours on Sunday, November 1, according to the Directorate General of Emergencies of the Government of Canarias. The measure will especially affect the metropolitan area of Tenerife, where the greatest risk of intense rainfall is concentrated during the second half of the day.
In this area, AEMET has established an orange warning for rain from 12:00 to 23:59 hours on Sunday, with accumulations that could reach 30 millimeters in one hour. In addition, there is a yellow warning for accumulations of up to 60 liters per square meter in 12 hours, which reflects the possibility that the showers will continue for several hours.
The forecast for Santa Cruz de Tenerife points to an increase in the likelihood of rain during the afternoon, especially between 14:00 and 17:00 hours, although rainfall could also occur during the night. Temperatures will remain relatively mild, with highs close to 27 degrees, on a day marked by cloudiness, humidity and the possibility of storms.
However, the start of the warnings does not mean that the rains will begin simultaneously in all municipalities. Some rainfall could be recorded before midday, while the most intense episodes could be concentrated in specific areas during short periods.
Which areas of Tenerife will be affected by rain and storms
The episode will not affect the whole island in the same way. The metropolitan area, which includes Santa Cruz de Tenerife and San Cristóbal de La Laguna, will be the area with the highest level of risk, according to the forecast available this Saturday. There, the AEMET orange warning has been established and the regional rain alert will be activated.
In the north of Tenerife, the State Meteorological Agency maintains a yellow warning for rains of up to 15 liters per square meter in one hour, also from 12:00 to 23:59 on Sunday. The possibility of locally intense showers requires special attention to midlands areas, mountain roads and areas near ravines.
The rest of Tenerife will remain in a pre-alert situation for rains, according to the declaration of the Government of Canarias. This difference is important because the regional alert and AEMET meteorological warnings are distinct instruments: while the meteorological agency warns of the expected intensity of the phenomena, the General Directorate of Emergencies determines the corresponding civil protection measures.
In addition to precipitation, AEMET contemplates yellow warnings for storms in the metropolitan area and in the north of Tenerife, due to the possibility of electrical activity associated with the showers. The authorities recommend following the official updates, especially during the afternoon and night of Sunday.
La Palma, El Hierro, La Gomera and Gran Canaria will also be on pre-alert
Instability will not be limited to Tenerife. The Government of Canarias maintains the pre-alert for rain in La Palma, El Hierro and La Gomera, while Gran Canaria will also enter this preventive situation as of noon on Sunday.
The forecast indicates that the first precipitation bands could reach the westernmost islands during the last hours of Saturday, October 31, with a greater probability of initially affecting La Palma and El Hierro. Later, instability will shift eastward, extending to La Gomera, Tenerife and the north of Gran Canaria during Sunday.
The regional Executive has also declared the pre-alert for storms from 21:00 on Saturday in La Palma, El Hierro, La Gomera, Tenerife and the north of Gran Canaria. Storm activity could be locally intense, although its distribution will depend on the position and evolution of the low-pressure system.
According to the latest forecasts, Gran Canaria will concentrate its highest probability of precipitation during Sunday, November 1, while in La Palma, El Hierro, La Gomera and Tenerife the instability could last until Monday. For now, it is not expected that the episode will extend with comparable intensity toward the easternmost islands, Lanzarote and Fuerteventura.
Rain will continue on Monday, November 2 in Canarias
The instability episode could last beyond Sunday. The General Directorate of Emergencies foresees that on Monday, November 2 the precipitation will continue in Tenerife, La Palma, El Hierro and La Gomera, with the possibility of locally heavy showers, especially between 00:00 and 18:00 hours.
In the metropolitan area of Tenerife, the AEMET forecast contemplates a reduction of the warning level from orange to yellow as of midnight on Monday, although accumulations of up to 20 liters per square meter in one hour could continue to be recorded . There is also still the possibility of storms for much of the day.
The evolution of the low-pressure system will determine whether the precipitation persists longer or whether the situation improves progressively. The Canary authorities have warned that there is a high degree of uncertainty about the position, displacement and persistence of the rains, so the warnings may be updated depending on the new weather models.
Recommendations in the face of the rain alert in Tenerife
In view of the activation of the alert level, the Government of Canarias has asked the population to take extreme precautions during Sunday, especially in areas exposed to heavy rainfall, ravines and points where rapid accumulations of water may occur.
Among the main recommendations are avoiding crossing ravines or channels, not driving on flooded roads, checking drains and removing objects from balconies or terraces that could be moved by the wind. It is also advised to pay attention to travel on mountain roads and avoid outdoor activities when storms occur.
In the event of an emergency, citizens can contact 112 Canarias, while updated weather warnings can be consulted on the official AEMET website and on the communication channels of the regional Government.
For now, the time of greatest attention will be Sunday afternoon, November 1, when the rain alert in the metropolitan area of Tenerife and the orange AEMET warning will coincide. The rain could continue during Monday, although its intensity and distribution will depend on the evolution of the storm approaching the archipelago.