What applies now on Lanzarote?

Lanzarote is under a Prealerta from 10:00, along with La Graciosa and every other island. The Dirección General de Emergencias, the Canary Islands government's emergency agency, activated it.

The state weather service AEMET expects up to 15 millimetres of rain an hour on the eastern islands, which include Lanzarote. Thunderstorms will come with it, plus a slight drop in temperature and a moderate east wind that should ease.

AEMET has issued two yellow warnings, one for Tuesday 3 November and one for Wednesday 4 November. According to the report they apply to all the islands, with no breakdown for places such as southern Lanzarote.

The Prealerta is the first step on the Canary Islands civil protection scale, and it is purely an early warning. It puts the authorities and emergency crews on standby before any damage occurs.

What should visitors and residents do now?

So far the report names no closures, flight cancellations or school closures. The Cabildo (island government) and town halls such as Arrecife had published no advice by the time of publication.

The emergency agency gave clear advice in earlier warnings, and it still applies. Check roofs and drains, and do not park or camp in barrancos (dry riverbeds) or in areas prone to flooding.

When it rains, stay indoors where possible and drive only if you need to. If you must drive, keep to main roads and go slowly.

Never cross flooded bridges or spots with a strong current. If the water rises, move to higher ground, avoid lifts, garages and cellars, and switch off the power.

Keep 112 for emergencies only. For information, call 012.

How serious is the situation?

Between Sunday and Monday, lightning struck the archipelago 4,915 times, over land and sea. Most strikes hit the western islands, and the report gives no figure for comparison.

El Hierro, La Palma, La Gomera, Tenerife and Gran Canaria could see up to 20 millimetres of rain an hour. The eastern islands could see up to 15 millimetres, with thunderstorms on each.

The Canary Islands government points to uncertainty over where, how hard and how long the rain will fall. Thunderstorm cells could settle over individual spots during the day.

The Prealerta and the AEMET colours are two separate systems. AEMET warns in yellow, orange or red, while the government declares civil protection levels, which run from Prealerta to Alerta and then Alerta máxima.

What has Lanzarote already seen in heavy rain?

On 12 April 2025 the Canary Islands government declared an emergency for Lanzarote because of flood risk. It ended at 07:00 on 13 April, about 24 hours after the rain began.

Crews logged 222 call-outs, 152 in Teguise and 70 in Arrecife. The golf course at Costa Teguise measured 97.5 litres per square metre, and Tahíche recorded over 100.

Early reports spoke of more than 300 call-outs. The figure of 222 is the later tally.

Early warnings for Lanzarote are now common. On 1 and 2 October 2025 a Prealerta ended after only scattered rain, and on 9 October 2026 it covered five islands.

On 21 October 2026 the Prealerta covered all the islands, with up to 15 millimetres an hour and 60 millimetres in twelve hours. The next day El Hierro, La Gomera and eastern La Palma moved up to the higher Alerta level.

What is still unknown and what happens next?

The Canary Islands government has not said when the Prealerta ends. Nor is it clear whether it will rise to Alerta or whether AEMET will move from yellow to orange.

The exact times of the warning for Lanzarote and the expected total rainfall are also missing. The report gives the start of the Prealerta as 10:00 on Wednesday, so the date of activation remains unclear.

Nothing has been reported on damage, call-outs or injuries. Each AEMET update changes the picture, and the Prealerta will then be extended or lifted.

Despite the rain, AEMET gives a 70% probability that November to January will be warmer than normal. Cold spells with snow and frost remain possible.