Canary Islands Government Declares State of Alert Across the Archipelago
The worsening of sea conditions, driven by both wind and swell, is expected to reach its peak intensity from 12:00 PM.
The Canary Islands Government, through the Directorate General of Emergencies, has declared an alert for coastal phenomena starting at 09:00 AM on Friday. The islands had been under pre‑alert since the previous Friday.
The decision is based on data from the State Meteorological Agency (AEMET) and other sources, applying the Specific Emergency Plan for Adverse Meteorological Phenomena (PEFMA).
Forecast for Friday
- Sea state: Expected to deteriorate due to wind and swell, with the most intense conditions from 12:00 PM.
- Wind:
- Force 6–7 across most of the archipelago.
- Force 8 in specific areas of La Gomera and part of Tenerife, affecting the maritime channel between the two islands.
- Significant wave height:
- 4 – 4.5 m on coasts exposed to the north and west.
- High tide: Occurs in the second half of the day, between 19:35 and 20:15.
Forecast for Saturday
- Sea state: Continued deterioration with a strong swell and very high swell from the north‑northwest, reaching 3 – 5 m.
- Wind: Expected force 6 – 8 (39 – 74 km/h).
- Combined significant wave height:
- 4 – 6.3 m on open coasts north of Gran Canaria (north‑west/north and north‑east) and on the north‑west coasts of the rest of the archipelago.
- Tide coefficient 48 – 49 (small).
- Peak wave period 16 – 20 seconds.
Possible Maximum Alert by the Weekend
The forecasts indicate the following distribution of wave heights:
- 67 % of waves: average height 1.6 – 4 m.
- 10 % of waves: average height 5 – 8 m.
- 1 % of waves: could reach 7 – 11 m.
- Maximum wave height: 13 m.
If these conditions materialize, the alert level will be upgraded to “Maximum Alert” on Saturday.
- High tide times on Saturday:
- 07:55 – 08:40 and 20:40 – 21:20.
The regional government urges residents to follow the self‑protection guidelines issued by the Directorate General of Emergencies.