The Government of the Canary Islands, through the General Directorate of Emergencies, has declared a pre-alert situation for wind on all the islands of the archipelago, including Lanzarote, starting at 6:00 p.m. this Saturday, March 22. The decision has been made based on the forecasts of the State Meteorological Agency (AEMET) and in application of the Specific Emergency Plan of the Canary Islands for Risks of Adverse Meteorological Phenomena (PEFMA).
According to reports, moderate to strong northeast winds are expected, with gusts that could exceed 60-80 kilometers per hour in exposed areas. In high and mid-altitude areas of southern La Gomera, gusts equal to or greater than 90 km/h are not ruled out. In the case of Lanzarote, although the island does not have such an abrupt relief as others, it is expected that the winds will especially affect coastal and open areas, with possible intense gusts.
The authorities have urged the population to follow the self-protection recommendations, which include securing doors, windows and objects that may be dragged by the wind, avoiding walks in exposed areas and taking extreme precautions on roads, especially in elevated sections or near the coast.
This pre-alert also affects other islands such as El Hierro, La Palma, La Gomera, Tenerife, Gran Canaria and Fuerteventura, where the winds could be more intense in mid-altitude and summit areas. The strongest gusts will be concentrated on the west, northwest and southeast slopes of the larger islands, as well as in areas such as the Teno massif and the Dorsal mountain range in Tenerife.
The Government of the Canary Islands will keep the monitoring device active and recommends that citizens stay informed through official channels and AEMET updates. The pre-alert will remain in effect until weather conditions improve and the risk associated with intense winds is reduced.