Storm Therese made landfall on the Canary Islands on Wednesday, 18 March 2026, bringing wind gusts of 70–90 km/h to Tenerife and 4-metre waves along its coastline. Yellow rain warnings remain in place for Santa Cruz de Tenerife through the weekend of 21 March, with UK travellers facing flight delays and excursion cancellations.
What is Happening in Tenerife Right Now?
The storm has disrupted travel across the Western Canary Islands since Wednesday, 18 March. Tenerife North Airport faces the greatest exposure to the weather system, with ongoing risk of flight delays and potential diversions. Inter-island ferry services have been reduced or suspended on several routes.
Access to Mount Teide — one of the most popular tourist attractions on the island — has been restricted, with the cable car suspended during high wind alerts. Beach flag systems have been upgraded to red on exposed northern coastlines, warning against swimming.
Weather experts have flagged that the system could persist into late March 2026, creating an unstable weather window that may affect multiple booking periods. This is not the first severe weather event to hit the Canaries this year: Storm Therese follows a pattern of intensified Atlantic storm activity that has characterised the winter season of 2025–2026.
Your Legal Rights as a UK Traveller Affected by the Storm
The legal framework for UK travellers is more nuanced than most people realise — and understanding it before you call your airline could save you significant stress and money.
Flight delays and cancellations:
UK aviation law (retained from EU Regulation 261/2004 post-Brexit) entitles passengers to care and assistance regardless of the cause of disruption. However, financial compensation of £220–£520 only applies where the airline is at fault — severe weather typically qualifies as an "extraordinary circumstance," which means airlines are not obliged to pay compensation. But they must still:
- Offer a choice of full reimbursement, re-routing at the earliest opportunity, or re-routing at a later date of your choice
- Provide meals, refreshments, and communication while you wait
- Arrange accommodation and transfers if you're rebooked to the following day
Package holidays and ATOL:
If you booked a package holiday through a UK travel provider, your rights are stronger. Under the Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018, your travel company must either offer a suitable alternative or a full refund if significant elements of your trip cannot be delivered.
Crucially, ATOL (Air Travel Organiser's Licence) protection covers you if your travel company goes insolvent — but it does not cover weather disruption directly. The obligation to refund or rebook sits with your travel provider, not ATOL.
Travel insurance:
Travel insurance is the critical safety net for weather-related losses — including accommodation expenses if you're stranded, cancelled excursions, and additional transport costs. Standard policies typically cover "natural disasters" and severe weather, but the specific wording varies considerably. Check your policy's definition of "curtailment" and "cancellation" carefully.
Legal disclaimer: Travel and consumer law rights depend on your specific booking type, insurer, and circumstances. The information above is a general guide. If your airline or travel company denies a refund or reasonable alternatives, consulting a consumer rights solicitor can help you understand whether to escalate via the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) or the courts.
When Should You Consult a Legal Expert?
Most weather disruption claims can be resolved directly with your airline or travel provider. However, there are situations where professional legal advice pays off:
- Your airline refuses to provide meals or accommodation while you wait, which is a mandatory obligation regardless of extraordinary circumstances
- Your travel company offers a voucher instead of a cash refund — you are legally entitled to a refund in cash if you choose not to rebook
- You incur significant out-of-pocket costs (hotels, car hire, medical) and your insurer disputes the claim
- You have a dispute over a cancelled excursion booked independently (your package holiday refund may not cover this)
The UK's Civil Aviation Authority and Citizens Advice provide free initial guidance. For more complex disputes — especially involving large sums or uncooperative airlines — a consumer law solicitor can provide a formal assessment of your options.
Practical Steps for Tenerife Travellers Right Now
If you're currently in Tenerife or due to travel in the next 10 days:
- Check your airline's disruption policy before calling — most publish their extraordinary circumstances positions on their website
- Keep all receipts for additional costs incurred due to the storm, including meals, accommodation, and transport
- Request written confirmation of any flight change or cancellation from your airline — you will need this for insurance claims
- Contact your travel insurer as soon as possible — delayed notification can affect your claim
- Monitor the Tenerife emergency services alerts (Gobierno de Canarias) and the UK Foreign Office travel advisory for the Canary Islands
What the Storm Means for Late March Bookings
Weather forecasters indicate the Atlantic low-pressure system driving Storm Therese could persist through late March. If you have a booking in the Canary Islands in the next two to three weeks, it is worth contacting your travel provider now to understand your rebooking or amendment options — many airlines offer fee-free changes during declared weather disruptions.
On Expert Zoom, you can consult a UK consumer law solicitor online to review your specific situation quickly — without the cost of a full in-person appointment.
Sources: Euronews — Flight rights in winter weather (January 2026) | UK Civil Aviation Authority — Cancellations and compensation
