British tourists in the Canary Islands have been warned to be vigilant as a yellow alert has been given for the area.
Spanish weather agency Aemet have asked holidaymakers and residents on the popular islands to ‘exercise caution’ as they issued yellow weather alerts for wind and high waves, beginning Tuesday, January 21.
From the early hours of tomorrow until midnight, the coastlines of El Hierroa, La Palma, La Gomera, Fuerteventura and Lanzarote are under the warnings, reports the Manchester Evening News.
And the yellow alert also covers the northern coast of Tenerife and Gran Canaria. The weather experts are forecasting swells of “four to five metres”.
The islands are a popular winter sun destination with British holidaymakers.
The local news site Canarian Weekly said that people are being told to follow the colours of warning flags on the islands beaches and to be sure to “exercise caution”. A yellow flag warns swimmers of moderate sea conditions and the red flags mean that swimming is not prohibited.
Tourists are also being asked to keep updated on weather forecasts and not to take part in unnecessary activities at the coastline while the warning is in place. Authorities have warned people to avoid taking selfies in dangerous coastal areas or on rocks.
Aemet predicts overcast conditions with light rain in the area this week. Strong winds are expected in parts of Tenerife and La Palma, which is likely contributing to the sea conditions.
Tuesday’s forecast will see strong gusts of wind. A spokesperson for Aemet said: “Strong southwesterly wind on the peaks of Tenerife, with westerly wind on the peaks of La Palma, with very strong gusts.”
“During the first half of the day, cloudy or overcast in the western province and in the southwest of Gran Canaria, with probable light to moderate rainfall, especially on the southern and western slopes, less probable in Gran Canaria.
“Cloudy intervals in the rest of the areas. In the afternoon, wide clearings and generally weak rainfall not ruled out in the mountainous islands. Cloudy intervals in Lanzarote and Fuerteventura. Minimum temperatures slightly rising.
“Maximum temperatures with little change. Wind from the southwest or west, moderate with intervals of strong on the northwest and southeast slopes, as well as in high areas. On the peaks of Tenerife and La Palma, strong wind with very strong gusts.”
Don’t miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond – sign up to our daily newsletter here.