Spanish State Meteorological Agency, AEMET, has issued widespread warnings as Storm Claudia threatens torrential rain and strong winds on the Canary Islands this week. Gran Canaria is expected to feel the impact particularly from Wednesday onwards.
Claudia is forecast for the western islands, including Tenerife and La Palma—which currently face orange-level risk warnings for potential flooding and strong winds—Gran Canaria is also on alert, with yellow warnings for heavy rain and gusty winds beginning from Wednesday.
AEMET’s forecast highlights a “very active front” crossing the archipelago, ushering in persistent, sometimes intense rainfall and electrical storms.
The storm will arrive to the northwest of the islands on Wednesday morning, then move eastward—first soaking La Palma, El Hierro, and La Gomera, followed by Tenerife. By late Wednesday and into Thursday, the system is set to arrive on Gran Canaria, as well as Lanzarote and Fuerteventura.
Peak rainfall could reach 30 litres per square meter in an hour and more than 100 litres in 12 hours on the westernmost islands; Gran Canaria’s south and southwestern slopes are also at risk, where unstable terrain could see sudden water buildup and flash flooding.
Strong southwest winds, possibly gusting to 70 or 80 km/h, are expected to accompany the rain, raising additional concerns about falling branches or debris and hazardous travel conditions.
The storm is unusual for this time of year. Typically, Gran Canaria enjoys mild, settled weather in November, with daily highs around 21–24°C and moderate rainfall over the entire month—this week, however, that expected average may be surpassed in just a day or two. The risk of coastal storms also increases, with rough seas threatening beach safety and port operations, particularly on exposed southern and western shorelines.
Authorities have urged islanders to prepare for localised flooding, especially around ravines, low-lying roads, and poorly drained urban areas. It is advisable to secure loose outdoor objects, avoid non-essential travel during alert periods, and exercise caution around cliffs, riverbeds, and coastal promenades. While rain is expected to ease by Friday as the front moves east, residual showers and blustery conditions may linger into the weekend.
In recent years, the Canaries have not seen many autumn storms of this magnitude; Claudia is a reminder of the archipelago’s variability and the importance of staying alert to official information.
For non-native residents and visitors unfamiliar with such rapid weather changes, it’s essential to follow updates, heed local advice, and plan flexible indoor activities until conditions improve.
