Spain has issued a severe weather warning for the Canary Islands this weekend, with waves predicted to reach terrifying heights along the coast. AEMET, Spain’s state meteorological agency, has predicted a hazardous combination of adverse conditions, including strong winds, heavy rainfall and dangerous seas.
AEMET has stated that waves could reach a « significant height » of over 16 feet, but experts have warned that this is just the average, meaning maximum wave heights could exceed a terrifying 33 feet. The bad weather is expected to strike late on Friday (December 12) and throughout Saturday. The Spanish agency has described the sea conditions on Saturday as « especially dangerous », while winds from the north will be « very intense », affecting exposed areas and leeward slopes.
Residents and tourists have been advised to follow safety recommendations and stay updated via official channels, with a special informative note expected to be released later on Friday, according to The Olive Press.
The forecast comes less than a week after four tourists were killed, with another missing, at the Charco de Isla Cangrejo natural pool in Los Gigantes, Tenerife. The tragic incident occurred on Sunday (December 7) when around 20 bathers ignored an official closure order to swim in the popular tourist spot. Three people were also killed on the island under similar conditions in November, including a Dutch cruise passenger.
Yet, rough seas and strong winds are not the only weather conditions being thrown at the Canaries this weekend. Forecasters have said the islands will be hit by a combination of strong winds, high humidity and cold air, bringing rain throughout the day.
The rain will be focused on north-facing slopes and summits, where it is likely to fall as snow. Flurries are expected on the peaks of La Palma and Tenerife, with a lower probability for Gran Canaria.
On Sunday, a 60-year-old was one of three people who got into difficulties and was found face-down in the sea and rushed to a nearby football ground by helicopter, where efforts to revive him proved unsuccessful.
Emilio Navarro, mayor of the municipality of Santiago del Teide, told a local TV station: “All those hurt or killed were tourists. There’s a group that was younger, Slovakians and Italians, and there was another group all tourists, who had crossed the tape that had been put by local police or Civil Guard who have been working all week in this area and at other points along the coast.
“It’s impossible at times to make people understand the dangers of the ocean. The tape has to be replaced several times a day in some cases because it gets broken and people even insult police because they don’t want to leave.”
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