Canary Islands Government Raises Alert Over Coastal Phenomena

Exercise great caution, especially by Sunday midday, strong swell and high tide coefficient due to the new moon

The Canary Islands Government, through the Directorate General of Emergencies, has updated the situation and declared an alert for coastal phenomena throughout the archipelago, effective from 12:00 p.m. tomorrow, Saturday 17 January. This decision is based on information from the State Meteorological Agency and other available sources, and follows the Specific Emergency Plan for the Canary Islands for Adverse Meteorological Phenomena (PEFMA).

Territorial Scope

• Northern and western coasts of La Palma, La Gomera, El Hierro
• Northern coast of Tenerife and Gran Canaria
• Channels between the islands
• Islands of Lanzarote and Fuerteventura

Observations

• Sea state: Poor, with a combined swell from the northwest expected to reach or exceed 4–5 meters. The background sea period will feature long intervals of more than 12 seconds.
• Wind: Northwest wind of force 7 (50–61 km/h) rolling northward. Significant wind‑sea with strong surf on a heavy sea on Sunday, with occasional very heavy patches. The episode will particularly affect open coasts facing west, north and northwest, as well as the inter‑island channels.
• Trend: Sea conditions are expected to deteriorate over the weekend, especially on 18 January when a new moon will produce spring tides with high tide coefficients.
• High‑tide windows:
  • Saturday 17 January: 12:22 – 12:58 p.m.
  • Sunday 18 January: 00:30 – 01:09 a.m. and 12:53 – 13:33 p.m.