Canary Islands will be hammered by Storm Therese for five more days

by · Mail Online

Extreme weather is set to hammer a British holiday hotspot for at least five more days before the Easter break.

Storm Therese has thrown the Canary Islands into chaos, with heavy rain, snow and powerful winds disrupting travel and daily life across the region. 

More snow is expected in Tenerife after the mountains in Teide National Park were blanketed in white on Thursday, with forecasters warning of further snowfall above 1,800 to 2,000 metres. 

Strong winds have left thousands of travellers stranded, with more than 40 flights cancelled on Wednesday and Thursday alone.

A dramatic sea rescue also unfolded off Tenerife as sailors were airlifted to safety after becoming trapped in dangerous conditions. 

At least one crew member was said to be in serious difficulty, with rough seas preventing rescue boats from reaching the vessel. 

The incident happened near El Médano beach at around 2.20pm on Friday when a sailing boat was caught in powerful waves and fierce gusts, leaving those on board unable to manoeuvre. 

A Maritime Rescue helicopter was deployed as the only viable option, with crews carrying out a complex evacuation in challenging conditions. 

Extreme weather is set to hammer a British holiday hotspot with rain and snow for at least five more days before the Easter break
A dramatic sea rescue also unfolded off Tenerife as sailors were airlifted to safety after becoming trapped in dangerous conditions
People clean a road in Cercados de Espino on the island of Gran Canaria
Tourists take a selfie as strong waves hit the port of Mogan on the island of Gran Canaria
Storm Therese has thrown the Canary Islands into chaos, with heavy rain, snow and powerful winds disrupting travel and daily life across the region
Strong waves crash onto a road next to vehicles at the port of Arguineguin on the island of Gran Canaria
Authorities have issued orange and yellow alerts for heavy rain, storms, flooding and high waves, as dramatic footage showed seawater surging beyond the coastline and flooding roads
Footage shared by stunned tourists shows Mount Teide dusted in snow, transforming the usually sun-soaked island into a wintry landscape at higher altitudes
More snow is expected in Tenerife after the mountains in Teide National Park were blanketed in white on Thursday, with forecasters warning of further snowfall above 1,800 to 2,000 metres
Gusts have exceeded 74mph in places, while relentless downpours have triggered flash flooding and landslides, according to local reports
Spain's State Meteorological Agency (AEMET) has warned some areas could see more than a year's worth of rain in just days
Authorities in Tenerife activated the island's emergency plan on Wednesday, shutting roads, banning hiking routes and closing Teide National Park
Schools, nurseries and day care centres were also forced to close, with services for elderly residents suspended as a precaution
Forecasters said the storm was expected to hit its most intense phase yesterday, with up to 100mm of rain forecast in just 12 hours alongside strong winds and rough seas
Conditions are expected to ease slightly into the weekend, but disruption will continue with further heavy rain, gusts of up to 90km/h and waves still reaching up to five metres
Residents and tourists have been urged to avoid unnecessary travel, take care in coastal and mountainous areas and follow advice from local authorities as Storm Therese continues to sweep the region
The severe weather has already caused major disruption, with at least seven flights cancelled or diverted on Thursday following 36 cancellations the previous day, leaving thousands of passengers stranded. Pictured: Large waves caused by storm

Authorities have issued orange and yellow alerts for heavy rain, storms, flooding and high waves, as dramatic footage showed seawater surging beyond the coastline and flooding roads.

Gusts have exceeded 74mph, while torrential rain and snow have forced multiple road closures and triggered landslides in several areas. 

In Gran Canaria, heavy rain caused the partial collapse of a 20-metre wall in Playa del Aguila, while other areas were hit by flash flooding and debris blocking major routes. 

Emergency services have been dealing with fallen trees, blackouts and damaged buildings, as construction materials and fencing were blown to the ground. 

Local officials in Valsequillo reported several emergency incidents on Friday, urging residents to exercise extreme caution as conditions worsen. 

Schools have been closed and roads blocked across parts of the islands, including routes between San Mateo and Valsequillo. 

The severe weather is expected to continue into next week, with conditions already worsening in some areas, according to local reports.

Earlier this week, an emergency was declared as Storm Therese hit the region.

The storm has been described as the worst to hit the Canary Islands in more than a decade, with the Spanish destination - popular with Brit tourists - under an orange weather alert after days of wild conditions. 

Footage shared by stunned tourists shows Tenerife's Mount Teide dusted in snow, transforming the usually sun-soaked island into a wintry landscape at higher altitudes. 

Gusts exceeded 74mph in places, while relentless downpours have triggered flash flooding and landslides, according to local reports. 

Spain's State Meteorological Agency (AEMET) warned some areas could see more than a year's worth of rain in just days. 

Authorities in Tenerife activated the island's emergency plan on Wednesday, shutting roads, banning hiking routes and closing Teide National Park.