A large depression which has turned in to a late winter storm out in the mid Atlantic, named by the Portuguese Met office as Storm Emma, is forecast to bring heavy seas and strong winds to the Archipelago over the next few days, as well as having the potential to wreak havoc along the iberian peninsular coastlines. Here on the islands strong winds have already started to pick up with rain and rough seas expected too.
The Canary Islands Directorate General of Educational Centres and Infrastructure, part of the Ministry of Education and Universities, following recommendations from the Directorate General of Security and Emergencies of the Government of the Canary Islands , has decided to suspend teaching activity this Wednesday, February 28 on the islands of El Hierro, La Gomera, La Palma, Tenerife and Gran Canaria in the face of forecast turbulent weather including very strong winds and rough coastal seas.
Classes have been suspended in all infant, primary and secondary schools and universities .
The Western Canary Islands are on orange alert due to forecasts of very strong winds, with the latest predictions from the Spanish State Meteorological Agency (AEMET) indicating that intense gusts of winds are likley especially in the westernmost islands of the Archipelago with waves expected to reach 5 or 6 metres high.
The alert is extended to the rest of the archipelago this Wednesday, February 28, when the storm front, caused by the tail end of what has now been named as Storm Emma, will arrive on the island from the southwest accompanied by gusts of wind reaching maximums 95 kilometres per hour. On Gran Canaria, the strong winds will mainly affect inland areas and the summits.
The Canary Islands Regional Government have implemented the PEFMA Civil Protection Plan for Adverse Meteorological Phenomenon, putting emergency services on alert and advising caution among the population.
