The islands of Lanzarote and La Graciosa are preparing for the arrival of Storm Francis, which will reach the Canary Archipelago this January 1st, entering through the western islands and arriving in Lanzarote around 6:00 PM, as reported by the Directorate General of Emergencies after the meeting held this Tuesday afternoon.
Given this situation and adhering to the precautionary principle, the Cabildo of Lanzarote will activate the Insular Emergency Plan (PEIN) in a pre-alert status, from 6:00 PM on Thursday, January 1st, until 8:00 AM on Friday, January 2nd, with the recommendation to suspend outdoor activities during that period.
Wind, rain, and storms
Although wind alerts are concentrated in the high areas and peaks of La Palma and Tenerife, in Lanzarote moderate to strong south and southwest winds are expected, which will intensify during the night of the 1st. These winds will particularly affect leeward areas, such as the northern and western half of Lanzarote and all of La Graciosa, where strong gusts are expected, although not reaching AEMET warning levels at the moment.
The storm will pass quickly over Lanzarote due to the wind effect, but it will be accompanied by persistent rain, with an estimated intensity of up to 15 liters per hour. The rainfall will arrive during Thursday night, as part of the cold front that will sweep across the Canary Islands from west to east.
Furthermore, there is a low **probability of storms**, although the appearance of stormy showers in the early hours of Friday morning cannot be ruled out
Coastal phenomena during the weekend
To all of this is added an episode of adverse coastal phenomena, already on alert in a large part of the Canary Islands coast. In the case of Lanzarote, the most significant effects are expected during the weekend, with special incidence on the north and west coast of the island and throughout La Graciosa
Combined seas are expected to worsen, coinciding with the arrival of spring tides and a full moon, which could increase the risk in exposed coastal areas
Recommendations
Emergency services insist on the importance of taking extreme precautions, avoiding unnecessary travel during the period of greatest instability, and not engaging in outdoor activities, especially in coastal areas, ravines, and areas exposed to windAuthorities remind that the evolution of storm Francis will be continuously monitored and that any change in the situation will be communicated to the public through official channels
