Storm Therese Hits Canary Islands with Heavy Rain, Snow, and Flight Chaos

Storm Therese struck the Canary Islands on March 18 and 19, 2026, generating over 100 reported incidents across the archipelago and blanketing the upper slopes of Mount Teide in snow. The weather system brought strong winds, disrupted air travel, and prompted authorities to suspend school classes as a precautionary measure. The storm's arrival forced emergency services and local administrations across the island chain to mobilize in response to a wide range of weather-related incidents. Authorities had anticipated the impact and put protective measures in place before the worst of the conditions arrived. The disruption affected both residents and tourists on one of Europe's most visited holiday destinations.

Snow caps Teide as schools shut across islands One of the most visible effects of Storm Therese was snowfall on Mount Teide, the highest peak in Spain, located on the island of Tenerife. The snow added a dramatic visual dimension to the storm's impact on an archipelago more commonly associated with warm, stable weather. School classes were suspended across the Canary Islands as a preventive measure, reflecting the seriousness with which local authorities treated the incoming system. The decision to close schools indicated that officials were not willing to take risks with public safety, particularly for younger residents. The combination of suspended education and weather warnings signaled a broad administrative response to the storm's approach.

Plane struggles to land at La Palma airport amid gusts Aviation was among the sectors most severely affected by Storm Therese, with flight cancellations reported across the archipelago. A particularly notable incident involved a plane that experienced a complicated landing at La Palma airport, where strong winds associated with the storm made the approach difficult. Flight cancellations compounded the disruption for travelers, both those seeking to leave the islands and those attempting to arrive. The Canary Islands serve as a major tourist destination, particularly for visitors from northern Europe during the winter and early spring months, meaning the disruption had a wide reach. Airlines and airport operators were forced to adjust schedules in response to the deteriorating conditions brought by the storm system.

Canary Islands brace as over 100 incidents logged Emergency services across the Canary Islands recorded more than 100 incidents attributable to Storm Therese as the system moved through the region on March 18 and 19. The breadth of incidents across the archipelago underscored the storm's wide geographic reach, affecting multiple islands simultaneously. Authorities had prepared for the arrival of the storm in advance, putting contingency plans in place to manage the expected disruption. The response involved coordination across local administrations, emergency services, and transport operators throughout the island chain. The storm's passage served as a reminder of the vulnerability of island communities to Atlantic weather systems, even in a region more typically associated with mild and stable conditions.