Madrid (EFE) The start of the new year is accompanied by the arrival of storm Francis, which is impacting the Canary Islands, where rain, winds, and rough sea conditions are expected. In some areas of the west of the peninsula, there will be cloud cover and some rain. The State Meteorological Agency (Aemet) has issued yellow alerts for rain, storms, wind, and maritime phenomena in the Canaries, with orange-level alerts in the summits of La Palma due to wind gusts. According to Aemet’s forecasts, Francis will be the significant weather event in the first days of 2026, and it is anticipated to bring rain and snowfall. On the first day of this situation, the Canaries are affected, where an orange warning has been issued for the summits of La Palma due to gusty winds. In the rest of the archipelago, the warning is yellow for precipitation that could accumulate up to 20 litres per square metre in one hour and 60 litres over a 12-hour period. Rain is expected to affect the southwest slopes of the mountains and may be accompanied by storms, winds, and adverse coastal conditions. The Cabildo of Tenerife has closed several paths and has prohibited certain activities due to alerts issued regarding the passage of Francis through the islands. The president of the Cabildo, Rosa Dávila, has stated that the emergency plan has been activated due to alert warnings for rain in the southern and western areas of the island, as well as for coastal phenomena, winds, and a pre-alert for storms. The Cabildo of La Gomera has urged citizens to take precautions and has recommended staying away from ravine beds, as well as not moving or parking in flood-prone areas. They have also been advised to be cautious in coastal areas and to drive carefully, due to the potential for landslides caused by rain and wind. ⚠️ IMPORTANT NOTICE | Rain and snowfall are expected due to storm Francis. ➡️ There is considerable uncertainty regarding the magnitude and intensity of the snowfall that will begin on the 4th. We suggest staying alert for updates on the forecast. + more information https://t.co/0qneNvR4U8 pic.twitter.com/IEotM9Qn9K
