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Tenerife holidaymakers 'desperate to get home' as storm and travel chaos hits

Storm Therese has battered the Canary Islands with 100km/h winds, heavy rain and snowfall, causing over 40 flight cancellations and forcing authorities to declare a full-scale emergency in Tenerife

[LAS PALMAS DE GRAN CANARIA CANA, SPAIN - SEPTEMBER 25: Several people cover themselves from the rain with an umbrella while walking along a road, on 25 September, 2022 in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain. The Government of the Canary Islands has asked to avoid traveling this weekend due to the forecast of rain, wind and storms caused by tropical storm 'Hermine' located south of the islands and has decided to suspend classes as a precaution. On September 23rd, the storm formed between the Cape Verde Islands and the African coast, moving in a north-northwest direction towards the Canary Islands. The tropical storm has discharged in the first eight hours of Sunday up to 60 liters of rain per square meter in some areas of the Canary Islands. (Photo By Europa Press via Getty Images)]

Storm Therese is causing chaos across the Canary Islands, especially Tenerife (stock image)(Image: Europa Press News, Europa Press via Getty Images)

Storm Therese is currently causing chaos across the Canary Islands, especially Tenerife and La Palma, delivering an unusual combination of torrential rain, 100 km/h (62 mph) winds, and substantial snowfall at higher elevations. Officials have announced a comprehensive emergency in Tenerife, describing it as one of the most brutal storms to pummel the archipelago in more than a decade.

Spain's weather service, AEMET, has issued multiple warnings that will stay active throughout the weekend. Orange (high risk) alerts have been issued for northern Tenerife and sections of La Palma due to wind gusts hitting 90100 km/h and intense rainfall. Meanwhile, yellow warnings are active across all seven islands for rain, thunderstorms, and rough seas with waves exceeding 6 metres (20 feet).

Remarkably for this period of the year, considerable snowfall has also covered Mount Teide and neighbouring peaks above 1,8002,000 metres.

The storm has triggered extensive travel cancellations and safety-related closures across the islands. More than 40 flights were cancelled or diverted by Friday, March 20, primarily at Tenerife North and South airports. Passengers are urged to verify their flight status via Flightradar24 or their airline.

Schools and universities across Tenerife, Gran Canaria and several other islands were shut on Thursday and Friday, whilst key roads, including access to Teide National Park and the TF-445 to Punta de Teno, remain closed due to ice and snow.

Major international events such as the Tenerife Bluetrail 2026 race have been either cancelled or postponed due to unforeseen circumstances, reports the Manchester Evening News.

On Friday (March 20), a Tenerife resident known as @theknightstrider1 on TikTok shared a weather update with his 115,000 followers.

The car hire and bar owner, based in Playa de las Amricas, was heard saying: "A little weather update for you then, it's raining... it's pretty grim and it's gone really overcast as well.

"The rain showers are on and off, we haven't really had any rain until now. It was okay this morning, but yeah it is raining. The current temperature's around 18 degrees, not too cold but the umbrella's are out, people are sheltering and it's really not that nice."

He went on to advise: "Bear in mind, you might get caught in the rain, have a brolly with you. Maybe some of the rain macs as well if you've got any, if not buy some because it's on and off."

One person commented: "Weather's been awful the last three days, can't wait to go home."

Another added: "Arrive tomorrow, packed a brolly." One relieved individual shared: "This makes me so happy as someone who was going to go this week and changed to last week! Phew." Meanwhile, another asked: "Why is it every time it's sunny in the UK it rains in Tenerife?"

A resident of the Canary Islands also posted a weather update on TikTok from Santa Cruz de Tenerife, captioning the video, 'Rain, wind and choppy ocean. Flights cancelled and diverted. Flooding in El Mdano and roads closed. The storms Theresa and Samuel are hitting Canary Islands.'

He then stated in the clip: "Here is your weather update from Tenerife South on Friday March 20th, 2026. The two storms Theresa and Samuel are battering the Canary Islands with force.

"As you can see here, we have quite a lot of waves here in the Troya area of Las Americas. The storms have caused quite a few incidents on the island, we had 11 flights cancelled yesterday, 10 flights have been cancelled during the day today.

"We've had quite a few flights redirected to other airports as well and we've had ferries that have been cancelled because of the conditions out at sea."

He detailed how temperatures were currently around 19 degrees and there had been intermittent rainfall which was "coming and going" alongside overcast conditions.

Are flights from the UK to Tenerife being cancelled?

Yes, services from the UK to Tenerife are presently facing cancellations and major disruption owing to harsh weather from Storm Therese. As of Saturday, 21 March 2026, Tenerife authorities announced an island-wide emergency due to brutal weather conditions including torrential rain, powerful winds, and uncommon snowfall in elevated regions.

Earlier this week witnessed the axing of more than 36 flights, with additional disruptions continuing today. Whilst numerous cancellations are hitting inter-island services, several international flights have been diverted or scrapped due to poor visibility and fierce winds.

At present, Tenerife North (TFN) airport is taking the worst of the battering, though Tenerife South (TFS) the primary landing point for UK flights is also suffering delays and some rerouted flights.

The treacherous conditions are anticipated to continue until Saturday, with a steady improvement predicted from Sunday, 22 March.

Leading airlines running the UK to Tenerife route, including Ryanair, easyJet, Jet2, and TUI, are urging passengers to verify their flight status before travelling to the airport.

If your flight gets axed, contact your airline straight away to discuss rebooking or refund possibilities.

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