What does the pre-alert mean for visitors and residents?

The pre-alert (prealerta) is primarily an official hazard notice. The Dirección General de Emergencias of the Gobierno de Canarias issued it on Monday 19 October 2026. It is based on data from the Spanish weather agency AEMET and the Canary Islands emergency plan PEFMA.

In practical terms, this means: during heavy rain, roads, ravines and low-lying areas can become dangerous at short notice. Drivers and pedestrians should avoid flooded roads and watercourses. Travellers should check their transport or excursion plans against current updates.

A general closure of the airport, ports, schools or tourist attractions is not stated in the available sources. The Canary Islands government refers to its self-protection advice for rain.

Which areas of La Palma are affected?

The government notice does not name any individual municipalities on La Palma. According to 112 Canarias, the pre-alert mainly affects the southern and eastern slopes of the island.

The AEMET forecast shows a 100 percent chance of rain for La Palma on 20 October between 00:00 and 12:00. Between 12:00 and 24:00 it stands at 80 percent. For 21 and 22 October, a 0 percent chance of rain is shown.

Anyone planning a walk in the Caldera de Taburiente should check the paths beforehand.

How much rain is expected?

Possible amounts given were 15 millimetres in one hour and 60 millimetres in twelve hours.

According to 112 Canarias, the rain may be accompanied by thunderstorms. Significant amounts can build up over short periods.

The pre-alert also covers the island of El Hierro. There, heavy and persistent showers are expected from midday. On the other islands with high relief, light to moderate rain is possible in the first half of the day.

What rules apply during a pre-alert?

The pre-alert is a preventive level. It is not an automatic declaration of emergency. It does not mean that damage, evacuations, school closures or economic aid automatically follow. Such measures require specific decisions by the responsible authorities.

The responsible body is the Dirección General de Emergencias of the Gobierno de Canarias. It decides on declaring, changing or ending the pre-alert. The decision does not lie with the Cabildo (island government) or the Ayuntamientos (municipal councils).

The PEFMA is the specific Canary Islands emergency plan for risks from adverse weather phenomena. The Dirección General de Emergencias applies it on the basis of AEMET information and other technical sources.

What happened on La Palma at the start of October?

La Palma had already been placed under a rain pre-alert on 1 October 2026 and then moved to alert level. That alert level for the north and east of the island ended on 2 October 2026 at 11:00.

The new measure is therefore a later, renewed and extended pre-alert. It shows how quickly the weather situation on the island can change.

The date, time, area and emergency level are documented there. Anyone wishing to follow developments can consult this directory of the Canary Islands government.

What is still open?

In the published brief notice, the exact sub-areas of La Palma remain open. A separate end time for La Palma was also not given. Specific local measures such as road closures are not listed.

Changes to the alert level depend on new weather data and the further decision of the Dirección General de Emergencias. Travellers should check the current situation before excursions on 20 October.

For 21 and 22 October, the AEMET forecast shows a 0 percent chance of rain for La Palma. The weather is therefore likely to settle quickly.