What applies on Gran Canaria on 3 November?

AEMET (the state weather agency) has issued a yellow warning for rain, thunderstorms and hail on Gran Canaria, Atlántico Hoy reports. It runs on Tuesday 3 November from 10:00 to 20:59.

Up to 20 litres of rain per square metre per hour are expected. The report gives the same amount for Tenerife and 15 litres for Lanzarote and Fuerteventura.

The warning covers the north of Gran Canaria, the summits and the eastern, southern and western slopes. That means the southern holiday resorts sit inside the warning area too.

Diario de Avisos and Atlántico Hoy give the same advice: avoid the roads where possible and do not park in a dry riverbed, known as a barranco. If you are driving a hire car, plan the day without a long cross-country trip.

What was seen in the night sky over Gran Canaria?

A thunderstorm lit up the sky over Gran Canaria at dawn, and on 3 November La Provincia published a photo gallery of it. The exact time, the places where lightning struck and the photographers are not confirmed.

AEMET has not published lightning counts for that night. No damage, injuries or power cuts on Gran Canaria have been reported so far.

Diario de Avisos had expected a new intensification for the afternoon and night of 2 November and the early hours of 3 November, mainly on the western islands. It was due to ease around 06:00 on 3 November.

How serious is the situation across the Canary Islands?

The Canarian government has a Prealerta for rain and thunderstorms in force for Gran Canaria and Tenerife, Diario de Avisos reports. La Palma, El Hierro and La Gomera are under an Alerta for rain.

The Prealerta is a preliminary level below the Alerta. The AEMET colours form a separate scale, and the government uses it to set its own level.

Authorities counted almost 100 incidents on the affected islands, mostly power cuts, water damage, backed-up drains and debris on roads. La Palma had a total power cut on Monday morning, which was fixed by 10:30.

These figures cover all the islands together, not Gran Canaria alone. There are no new rules, prices or deadlines, because this is purely a weather warning.

How unusual is lightning over Gran Canaria?

Almost 1,000 electrical discharges lit up the Canaries on 10 and 11 May 2022, AEMET counted, RTVC reported. Gran Canaria saw the most activity, with thunder and lightning throughout the night.

The storms hit hardest over Tejeda, Teror, Arucas and Valleseco, and people in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria saw the lightning too. Residents said the noise woke them and was unusual.

In the early hours of 2 February 2022 there was also lightning and thunder in the north of Gran Canaria and in the south and east of Tenerife, RTVC wrote. Southerly winds with gusts of more than 60 to 70 kilometres per hour had been forecast for the summits.

What is still unclear?

Nobody has said whether the Prealerta for Gran Canaria will be raised or lifted. The AEMET and Canarian government websites show the current status.

Local damage, power cuts or road closures on Gran Canaria are also unconfirmed so far. The town halls and the Cabildo (island government) have published nothing on this that we have seen.

The Canary Islands have already seen several weather episodes in 2026, including Storm Therese in March. On 9 October a Prealerta for rain covered five islands, according to RTVC.

What do 4 and 5 November bring?

Wednesday 4 November brings more yellow warnings, from 11:00 to 19:59, Atlántico Hoy lists. Diario de Avisos expects another unsettled spell from midday to 19:00, mainly inland and in the mountains.

For Thursday 5 November, no warning was in place when the reports appeared. Forecasts can change, so check the AEMET website before any outings.