First Snow of the Season Falls on Mount Teide as DANA Hits Canary Islands

Mount Teide got an early taste of winter this Thursday. As reported by Canarias Life, a light dusting of snow has appeared on the highest parts of the Tenerife volcano, signaling the start of the cold season on Spain’s tallest peak. While the snowfall is light, it is a direct result of the unstable weather currently affecting the islands due to a high-altitude depression (DANA).

Temperatures dropped low enough for the precipitation to turn to snow near the cable car’s upper station, which sits at 3,555 meters. At 3:07 a.m., the temperature there hit one degree Celsius. Conditions at the summit remain harsh; for the rest of the day, temperatures are expected to hover between zero and two degrees, though strong winds could make it feel as cold as minus six degrees.

This weather is part of a wider period of instability that has put local authorities on alert. While Tenerife remains under a pre-alert for rain, the Canary Islands government has issued a formal alert for El Hierro, La Gomera, and parts of La Palma. The State Meteorological Agency (Aemet) has warned that these areas could see heavy rainfall, with up to 30 liters per square meter possible in a single hour and up to 100 liters over twelve hours.

In Tenerife, Aemet forecasts a cloudy day with showers that could turn stormy in inland and mid-altitude areas. Although the weather is expected to improve later today as temperatures rise, it remains to be seen how long the snow will last. For now, the dusting is more of a seasonal preview than a major event, as winter is still two months away.