Tenerife Weather Warnings: What Australian Travellers Need to Know Right Now

Right then, let’s have a chat about the weather. I know, I know—we’re Australian, we talk about it enough at home without having to worry about it when we’re trying to escape it. But if you’ve got a trip booked to Tenerife in the next few days, or if you’ve got family over there, you’ve probably seen the headlines flying around. The "Tenerife weather warnings" are the talk of the breakfast table this morning.

I was having a cuppa tea earlier, scrolling through the morning bulletins—a nice little habit I’ve gotten into to keep the family informed about what’s going on—and sure enough, the Canaries were the top story. It’s not every day you see a weather warning from the sunny islands pop up in the morning brief, but here we are. The gist of it is that the local authorities have had to issue some serious alerts for Tenerife.

What’s the Go with the Storm?

So, what’s actually happening? It’s not just a bit of a breeze we’re talking about. The warnings are in place because of a potent Atlantic front that’s decided to pay the archipelago a visit. They’ve even gone and given it a name—Storm Therese. I’ve seen a few alerts like this over the years, and while the locals don’t tend to panic (they know the island bounces back fast), it’s worth paying attention to if you’re due to fly out.

The main areas of concern are the usual suspects: the north and the west, particularly around the rugged parts like Los Silos, Buenavista del Norte, and even up towards Santa Cruz. We’re looking at torrential rain in short bursts, and the real kicker—winds that could gust up to 90km/h in the exposed zones. If you’re staying in the south, like Playa de las Américas or Los Cristianos, you’ll likely still catch a bit of a breeze and some cloud cover, but the real nasty stuff is meant to hit the mountainous spine and the north coast.

Should You Change Your Plans?

Look, I’ve been going to the Canaries for the best part of twenty years. I’ve seen a "storm warning" turn into a few hours of heavy rain that clears up in time for a late swim, and I’ve seen them cause genuine disruption. Here’s the reality check for anyone heading off this weekend:

• The Airports: Tenerife South (TFS) and Tenerife North (TFN) are keeping an eye on things. I’d be checking your flight status before you head to Sydney or Melbourne, but in my experience, these airports are built for this. Delays are possible, but cancellations are rare unless the wind hits a specific direction that makes landing tricky.
• The Roads: This is where you need your wits about you. If you’re renting a car—and who doesn’t, to get up to Teide or those hidden coves?—be extra cautious on the TF-5 and the mountain roads. Flash flooding on the autopista happens fast, but it also drains fast. Don't be the fool trying to drive through a flooded underpass.
• The Beaches: The red flags will be up. I know it’s tempting to ignore them for a photo op, but the swell is supposed to be rough. The lifeguards over there don’t mess about. If they’re blowing the whistle, stay out.

I was chatting to a mate who owns a bar in Puerto de la Cruz this morning. He said the mood is fine—a bit nervous because the last time they had a warning this severe, they lost a few awnings and had some beach erosion—but the locals are just battening down the hatches. "It’s not a hurricane," he told me. "It’s just an angry Atlantic storm. We’ll be sipping coffee in the sun by Sunday."

For those of us staying put in Australia, there’s no direct impact here, of course. But if you’ve got family over there, give them a buzz. Let them know you saw the headlines this morning and you’re thinking of them. It’s a bit of a strange one—usually we’re the ones sending them sympathy cards for the rain, and now it’s the other way around.

Bottom line? Keep your phone charged, keep an eye on the official weather app rather than just the widget on your phone, and if you’re travelling, pack a light jacket even if you’re heading to the south. This is Tenerife; the weather changes faster than you can say "Melbourne". We’ll all be laughing about this when we’re ordering a cold one next week.