storm rain wind snow canary islands forecast march 2026

Storm Set to Bring Rain, Wind and Snow to Canary Islands

Late Winter Storm Approaches the Archipelago

Winter in the Canary Islands is giving its final kicks, but it still has a few more days of rain, wind, powerful westerly swells, and even snow on the highest peaks reserved. It will be this week, particularly from the second half, when a new Atlantic low-pressure system approaches the islands from the north and brings another bout of unsettled weather. This depression will position itself to the west of Madeira from this Tuesday and move southeast in the following days, directly affecting the Canaries.

Widespread Rain from Tuesday Onwards

Although there is still some margin for uncertainty due to the long-range nature of the forecast, the European model (ECMWF) already predicts the first rains will return by Tuesday afternoon. They will first be felt in the western islands and will gradually shift eastwards, finally affecting the entire archipelago in the following hours and for days, at least until Sunday 22 March.

By Wednesday, all of the Canary Islands will have rain forecast, but the heaviest accumulations are expected especially on La Palma and Gran Canaria. The wind will blow from the west in the western islands and from the south in the eastern islands, generating heavy swell on west-facing coasts and particularly in the western islands. By the afternoon, the east coast of Tenerife could record the highest rainfall totals.

Heavy Downpours and Snow on High Ground

Looking ahead to Thursday, all islands again expect rain, although it is expected to be less abundant in Lanzarote and Fuerteventura. Conversely, for the rest of the archipelago it will be a very rainy day, especially on La Palma and Tenerife. On the latter, snow is expected from midday. Thursday afternoon will bring significant rainfall accumulations to Tenerife, La Palma, and Gran Canaria, with winds blowing from the southwest. The forecast for snow on Tenerife’s peaks will remain.

Friday will continue with a very similar outlook: rain on all islands, now also including Lanzarote and Fuerteventura, where abundant rain is expected by the afternoon. It will be a day of high rainfall totals in Tenerife, La Palma, and Gran Canaria, and the forecast for snow on Tenerife’s summit will also persist. The wind will continue to blow from the southwest.

Unsettled Weekend Ahead

On Saturday, the wind will persist, having shifted more to the west, bringing even more cloud and rain to all islands. The afternoon of this day is expected to be very wet across all islands, particularly in the southwest of Gran Canaria, the southwest of Tenerife, the west of La Palma, La Gomera, and El Hierro, with snow on Tenerife’s peaks. This forecast repeats on Sunday, with rain on all islands and west-northwesterly winds in the western islands, and south-southwesterly winds in the eastern ones.

Potential for Weather Warnings

It is important to remember that, given the lead time and margin until that weekend, the forecast may change. If it holds, the activation of warnings from the State Meteorological Agency (Aemet), as well as alerts and pre-alerts from the Government of the Canary Islands, is not ruled out.

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