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Storm Therese has battered the Canary Islands with severe weather warnings for storms, flooding, heavy rain, and strong winds – and the chaos is set to continue for several more days

Holidaymakers in Tenerife have been left furious after spending the entire year saving for a week of sunshine – only to arrive and find dreary weather greeting them. During March, Tenerife usually basks in temperatures ranging from 16 to 22 degrees, as Spain starts welcoming visitors back before its hectic summer period.

Yet the island has been battered by Storm Therese, delivering unexpectedly cold temperatures, gloomy conditions, flight cancellations, and even snow alerts in certain regions. Discussing the weather this week, TikTok user @seb_tenerife, who is presently residing on the island, remarked: “This might be the first or second of four bad days of weather.

“A storm – what is going on? It’s meant to have the best climate, I’d say, in Europe, and now we’re four days into a storm. You know we’re in a crisis – I’m in a full tracksuit. What has happened?”

He continued by explaining that visitors have been contacting him regarding the conditions, enquiring whether the weather is expected to improve. Nevertheless, he confessed the forecast keeps shifting every time he examines it, leaving him uncertain whether conditions will brighten up anytime soon.

Responding to his video, one user said: “Same in January. Was great at Christmas. Climate change.”

Another commented: “The last year has been a bit mad weather-wise there. I went in April and then December, and both weeks were overcast and a good few degrees colder than previous years. My friend said it was the coldest December she’s ever had in 10 years of spending Christmas and New Year there.”

A third user said: “Try going in August. I’ve been in April, August, and December for the last three years, and August wins every time – around 28 to 32 degrees last year.”

The forecast

The Canary Islands have been battered by severe weather – and the chaos is far from over. An orange weather alert was issued after days of heavy rain and strong winds, with forecasters warning the miserable conditions could drag on for at least another five days – potentially ruining holiday plans for Brits abroad.

Shocking scenes in Tenerife showed the usually sun-soaked hotspot covered in snow, with icicles forming in some areas. Stunned tourists filmed the whiteout conditions in Teide National Park, where several roads were forced to close.

Snow is expected to continue falling in higher above 1,800 to 2,000 metres, as Storm Therese continues to lash the islands. Torrential rain has already triggered flash flooding and landslides in some areas.

Warnings have been issued for multiple types of extreme weather, including storms, flooding, strong winds, heavy rainfall and dangerous waves. Wind gusts have exceeded a staggering 74mph in places – with the sunshine holidaymakers expect nowhere to be seen. The wild weather has also caused travel chaos, with at least seven flights cancelled or diverted on Thursday alone, following 36 cancellations the day before.

Conditions are expected to worsen on Friday, which could mark the peak of Storm Therese. Orange rain alerts are in place for Tenerife, El Hierro, La Palma, and La Gomera. Forecasters warn up to 111mm of rain could fall within 12 hours in some areas, while Gran Canaria is under an amber alert, with up to 80mm expected.

Sea conditions are also turning dangerous, particularly between Tenerife and Gran Canaria, where waves could reach up to six metres alongside force eight winds. While the storm may ease slightly on Saturday, disruption is still expected. Orange alerts remain in place for Tenerife and La Palma, with winds of up to 55mph set to continue.

Tourists and locals have been urged to avoid unnecessary travel, stay away from coastal and mountainous areas, and follow official guidance. Schools across the islands have also been forced to close until conditions improve.

A TikTok money expert has revealed how a travel credit card could save you thousands on holiday — but there’s a catch you need to know before you go abroad

Many holidaymakers think they’ve got their trip finances sorted but one money expert says a simple tool could save you thousands and protect you from scams. Mat The Money Man, known as @thequidsquid on TikTok, revealed the £3,000 holiday hack that many people completely overlook.

“If you go on holiday and don’t bring one of these, you could be in serious trouble,” he warns in the viral video. Over 9.4 million tourists have fallen victim to holiday scams over the past five years, making financial protection a must.

Mat explains that travel credit cards are often safer than using a debit card because they offer Section 75 protection under UK law. Any purchase between £100 and £30,000 is covered, meaning you can claim your money back if something goes wrong — a safety net debit cards rarely provide.

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He also points to other perks, such as better exchange rates and cashback on overseas spending. “So if you get scammed, you can claim that money straight back,” he says, highlighting how the average person spends around £1,320 on two long holidays each year.

According to Compare the Market, a typical European holiday costs £1,000 to £2,000 per person, while longer-haul trips can exceed £2,000 per person depending on flights and accommodation. For many, the combination of fraud protection, exchange rate benefits, and potential cashback makes travel credit cards a valuable tool. Mat claims the total holiday savings could reach £3,633.

Experts, however, stress that not all travel credit cards are created equal. MoneyHelper notes that while these cards often provide no foreign transaction fees and built-in insurance, consumers should compare annual fees, interest rates, and exchange rate policies before signing up.

The “catch” is simple but critical: you must have the right card and actually use it during your trip to unlock the savings and protections. Without it, you risk missing out on thousands of pounds and the extra security a travel credit card can provide.

For holidaymakers who want peace of mind and the chance to save big, a travel credit card could make all the difference — but only if you bring it along and use it correctly.

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