Tropical Front Causes Freak Storms in the Canaries

A tropical front was the cause this morning of the series of storms to to hit the Canaries with torrential rains, principally in the islands of Gran Canaria and Tenerife and, were the worst in many years.

In Arico and Fasnia in Tenerife, the amount of rain that has fallen in the last 24 hours is the most seen in living memory, even in winter.

The rains which fell in the south of Tenerife today were the heaviest in a decade. In parts of Candelaria, more than 50 liters per square meter were recorded, something not seen there in 80 years.

Meterologists appeared baffled today, saying "this is not usual". Storms normally arrive in the Canary Islands from the north and it is rare for them to come in from the south, as they did this morning.

The unexpected weather front generated serious problems today with traffic, caused various damages to buildings and, there are reports that some flights had to be redirected.

Whilst all this extra water is good news for reforestation efforts, it could seriously prejudice the quality of the grape harvest, unless there is sun within the next few days.

Un frente intertropical provoca tormentas en toda Canarias

Las lluvias caídas en el sur de Tenerife son las más abundantes de esta década

Labels: Tenerife Weather, Weather