Therese Update: Schools Closed, Flights Cancelled, Carnival Postponed

Storm Therese has struck the Canary Islands with full force. What was forecast on Tuesday is now reality: schools closed, flights cancelled, carnival events postponed and wind gusts exceeding 100 km/h. CITA News, Your News Portal for Gran Canaria, summarises the current situation for the island's south.

Schools Closed Across the Archipelago

The Canary Islands education authority has suspended in-person classes in two stages: on Thursday 19 March, closures apply to Tenerife, La Palma, La Gomera, El Hierro and La Graciosa — with Gran Canaria added from the afternoon. On Friday 20 March, all schools across the archipelago switch to online mode. Nurseries and day centres are also closed. The University of La Laguna has likewise moved to remote teaching.

Over 43 Flights Affected

Air traffic across the Canaries is severely disrupted. By Wednesday evening, Aena reported 36 cancelled flights and 7 diversions. Connections to and from La Palma, El Hierro and Tenerife are worst hit. International flights from Madrid, Frankfurt and Zurich were rerouted — some to Gran Canaria or Tenerife South. Further disruptions are expected on Thursday and Friday.

Maspalomas Carnival: Drag Gala Moved to 25 March

San Bartolomé de Tirajana council has officially postponed several carnival events. The Drag Queen Gala will now take place on Wednesday 25 March at 9:00 PM — tickets already purchased remain valid. Singer Mónica Naranjo is confirmed as the headline guest. The Gala del Turista has been moved to 27 March, the Carnival Canino to 26 March. The decision on Saturday's Gran Cabalgata parade will be taken today, Thursday.

Weather: The Worst Arrives Today

According to AEMET, the centre of the storm approaches the archipelago on Thursday, bringing a second, significantly more active cold front. Wind warnings for Gran Canaria forecast gusts of up to 90 km/h in the southeast and southwest. Rainfall will intensify from the afternoon, particularly on western and southern slopes. On Tenerife and La Palma, cumulative rainfall of up to 300 litres per square metre is expected through Sunday — with the risk of flash floods in barrancos and landslides.

Snow is already falling on the Roque de los Muchachos on La Palma and is expected on Tenerife's Mount Teide above 1,600 metres.

What Tourists in the South Need to Know Now

For holidaymakers in Maspalomas, Playa del Inglés and Meloneras: beach visits are prohibited when the red flag is flying. Coastal promenades can be flooded by wave surges. Barrancos are life-threatening in rain. Do not park rental cars in dips or riverbeds. Secure balcony furniture. The ports of Puerto del Rosario and Arrecife are closed; some ferry services are suspended.

Anyone flying on Thursday or Friday should expect delays and cancellations. Current flight status: aena.es.

Authorities: Stay Indoors

The Directorate General for Emergencies has activated alert protocols across all islands. Several municipalities — including Gáldar, Agüimes and Yaiza — have banned all outdoor activities and closed public facilities. The employment office SEPE will close to the public on Thursday on the western islands and Gran Canaria.

CITA News continues to monitor the situation. We will report as soon as the decision on the Cabalgata parade is made. Current warnings: aemet.es and @112canarias.