Canarias is preparing for the arrival of the high-impact low-pressure system Bruna, which will leave a spell of adverse weather over this weekend. The regional Government has activated various alerts for wind, rainfall and coastal phenomena, in addition to prealerts for storms and flooding in light of the forecast of intense precipitation, very strong gusts and a deterioration in the state of the sea.
The cold front associated with Bruna will begin to cross the archipelago from west to east during the afternoon of this Saturday, 7 November. Instability will intensify overnight and continue throughout Sunday, with the possibility that adverse weather conditions may extend into the next week.
Rainfall of up to 100 liters per square meter
One of the main risks of the storm will be the intensity of precipitation. The rainfall alert will be active from 21:00 hours this Saturday in El Hierro, La Palma, La Gomera, Tenerife and Gran Canaria. In Fuerteventura, Lanzarote and La Graciosa, a prealert has been declared for the same phenomenon.
Precipitation may be heavy, very heavy and persistent. In La Palma, more than 30 liters per square meter could accumulate in one hour and reach 100 liters in twelve hours. Across the rest of the mountainous islands, intense showers are also expected, with totals that could be around 25 liters per square meter in one hour.
The episode has also prompted the Canary Government to declare a prealert for flood risk across the entire archipelago. The authorities warn of possible water accumulations in urban areas and sudden rises in streams in ravines and small watercourses.
Wind gusts exceeding 90 kilometers per hour
Wind will be another of Bruna’s most prominent elements. The alert has been activated since 12:00 hours this Saturday in La Palma, El Hierro, La Gomera, Tenerife and Gran Canaria, especially in high areas, ridges and exposed slopes.
Very strong gusts from the southwest component are expected, which may exceed 70 kilometers per hour during this Saturday. The situation could worsen on Sunday, when gusts could surpass 90 kilometers per hour in the most exposed areas of the mountainous islands.
Swells of up to four meters on the Canary coasts
The storm will also affect the state of the sea. The Government of Canarias has declared an alert for coastal phenomena across the entire archipelago, especially along the north and west coasts, where rough seas and swell are expected.
The surf could reach between three and four meters starting on Monday, with initial special impact on the western coasts of La Palma and El Hierro. The worsening of the sea, together with the high tides expected between Sunday and Wednesday, increases the risk that the waves will reach bathing areas, seafront promenades, and roads near the coast.
In addition, a pre-alert for storms has been activated on all the islands. Storm activity could begin in La Palma during the last hours of Saturday and move toward the east along Sunday.
Protection Civil recommendations in the face of the low-pressure system
With the arrival of Bruna, the Directorate-General for Emergencies has asked the public to take maximum self-protection measures and avoid risk situations.
Among the main recommendations are:
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Avoid getting close to breakwaters, seafront promenades, and areas exposed to the waves.
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Do not cross ravines or watercourses, even if they apparently have little flow.
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Remove from balconies and terraces objects that could fall or be displaced by the wind.
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Avoid unnecessary travel during periods of greatest intensity.
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Do not park vehicles in watercourses, ravines, or areas susceptible to flooding.
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Follow updates from official bodies and heed instructions from emergency services.
Protection Civil continues to monitor the storm, the development of which could require updating the alerts over the next few days.