This weekend, Storm Emilia will sweep over the Canary Islands, with warnings for heavy rain, storm winds, and swells up to nine meters high. Authorities urge residents and tourists to stay far from the coast due to risks of flooding and dangerous waves. As Christmas break approaches, many Swedes plan trips there despite recent tragic incidents involving tourists.
Storm Emilia is expected to hit the Canary Islands this weekend, with the worst weather on Saturday. The Canary Islands' crisis authority has issued the highest warning for swells across the entire archipelago. Swells are waves formed far out at sea that can become powerful and dangerous at the coast, reaching up to nine meters high according to Tenerife Weekly.
The warning primarily affects the northern, eastern, and western coasts of the larger islands, as well as the coasts of popular Lanzarote and Fuerteventura. There is a risk of flooding at beaches and roads near the coast. Both residents and tourists are urged to stay far from the coast, even if the weather appears calm.
In addition to the waves, warnings are issued for heavy rain that could cause flooding, especially on Tenerife and Gran Canaria, but also on Lanzarote and Fuerteventura. Up to 100 millimeters of rain could fall in twelve hours on northern Tenerife. Winds could reach 19–28 meters per second, with the threshold for storm winds at 24.5 meters per second.
According to Canarian Weekly, municipalities on all islands have been urged to cancel cultural events and sports and leisure activities from 5 p.m. on Friday until midnight into Sunday.
Christmas break is approaching, and many Swedes plan sunny celebrations on the islands. In recent times, several tragic incidents have occurred where tourists died after being swept away by strong waves. A month ago, three people died and 15 were injured when giant waves struck Tenerife.
