Yellow Alert for All Islands: What is Happening

Spain's national meteorological agency AEMET has activated a yellow weather alert (Aviso Amarillo) covering all seven main Canary Islands for Tuesday, 7 April 2026. The trigger is a well-defined cold front advancing from the northwest Atlantic. According to Radio Televisión Canaria (RTVC), the front begins crossing La Palma and the western islands from midday, sweeping progressively eastward through the archipelago during the afternoon.

Rain will follow the front, concentrating above all in the northern slopes and higher medianías (mid-altitude zones) of the more mountainous islands – La Palma, El Hierro, La Gomera, Tenerife and Gran Canaria. In the eastern islands of Fuerteventura and Lanzarote, the front arrives later and with less impact, though both will feel a freshening of the air and some cloud.

Temperatures will drop across the entire archipelago – particularly at altitude – and are forecast in the range of 14 to 20 °C depending on island and elevation. Northwest winds will strengthen as the day progresses, with locally very strong gusts possible in mountain ridges and exposed mid-slopes, especially on La Palma, Tenerife and Gran Canaria.

Yellow Alert – what it means A yellow (Aviso Amarillo) is the lowest of AEMET's three alert tiers, indicating weather that could pose a risk to certain activities or people in vulnerable situations. It does not mean an emergency, but it does call for caution – especially near the coast, at altitude, or when driving on mountain roads.

Dangerous Seas from 21:00: Coastal Warning for La Palma and El Hierro

The most serious element of today's forecast affects the coasts of the western islands. From 21:00 tonight, a coastal yellow alert comes into force for the north and west coasts of La Palma and El Hierro. Combined northwest swell will produce waves of 3.5 to 4 metres – and according to Tutiempo.net, gusts could push heights towards 4–5 metres in the most exposed spots during the early hours of Wednesday.

Authorities advise the public to stay well clear of breakwaters, harbour edges, sea walls, and any coastal areas where waves may break unpredictably. Red flags will be flying on many beaches. Swimming in these conditions is dangerous.

The rough sea state is the direct consequence of northwest swell generated by an active Atlantic system approaching the archipelago, combined with strong local wind waves accompanying the cold front. From Wednesday, a low-pressure system near the Gulf of Cádiz will continue to keep the weather unsettled, so conditions are not expected to improve quickly.

Island-by-Island Forecast for Tuesday

Here is what each island can expect on Tuesday, 7 April, based on forecasts from AEMET and RTVC:

  • Gran Canaria Low cloud cover through the morning; skies turn greyer from the afternoon as the front arrives. Possible rain in the northern medianías from mid-afternoon. Wind picks up. Temperatures fall.
  • Tenerife The front reaches the north of the island from midday, bringing cloud and rain to the northern slopes and medianías. Wind turns north with strong gusts on the dorsal ridge and mid-slopes. Rain possible in the southern medianías in the late afternoon.
  • La Palma Grey sky all day. Rain arrives in the north in the morning and spreads to the east and medianías during the afternoon. The front sweeps through during the second half of the day with some strong wind gusts. Coastal alert from 21:00.
  • La Gomera Mist and cloud in the morning, with increasing cloud and possible showers through the afternoon. Northwest wind picking up, with strong gusts on mid-slopes and east/west faces.
  • El Hierro Low cloud and rain in the north through the day; mist on the southern coast from midday. Rain eases towards the evening at higher elevations. Northwest wind gusting strongly at altitude. Coastal alert from 21:00.
  • Fuerteventura Intervals of low and high cloud throughout the day; weak late-afternoon showers possible. Wind turns northwest and strengthens in the north during the final hours. Generally fresher than recent days.
  • Lanzarote Patchy cloud mixed with clearer spells through the morning; overcast in the north and west. Brief openings around midday before cloud returns in the afternoon with possible light rain. Wind strengthens from the north in the afternoon.
  • La Graciosa More cloud than breaks through the morning, brief clearing around midday, overcast again in the evening. Colder than recent days; wind gaining intensity.

Outlook: Continued Unsettled Weather into Wednesday

Tuesday's cold front is not an isolated event. From Wednesday, a low-pressure system positioned near the Gulf of Cádiz will continue to exert its influence over the Canary Islands, meaning that unsettled, cooler and wetter weather is expected to persist through at least the middle of the week. Diario de Avisos and elDiario.es both note that this pattern represents a notably sharp change from the warm, settled spring conditions seen over Easter week.

Anyone planning outdoor activities – particularly hiking in the mountains or water sports on the northern coasts – should monitor the latest AEMET alerts closely and be prepared to adjust plans at short notice. The combination of rain, reduced visibility at altitude, and gusty winds makes mountain routes above 1,000 metres considerably more hazardous than usual on these days.

Practical advice for Tuesday, 7 April ☑ Check the latest AEMET alerts before heading out — conditions can change rapidly · ☑ Avoid all rocky coastlines, breakwaters and harbours exposed to the northwest swell, especially after 21:00 · ☑ If driving in mountain areas of Tenerife, La Palma or Gran Canaria, expect reduced visibility, slippery roads and strong gusts · ☑ Pack a waterproof layer even if the morning looks dry — rain arrives fast with this front · ☑ Heed any red flags at beaches — rough surf and rip currents are dangerous in these conditions

Further Reading

Sources: AEMET (Agencia Estatal de Meteorología) · Radio Televisión Canaria (RTVC) · Diario de Avisos · elDiario.es