BRITS heading to Spain this Easter have been warned to brace for showers, low temperatures and even snow – just days after horror floods swamped Lanzarote and two other hotspots.
More than a year’s worth of rain fell in two hours in parts of the Canary Islands on Saturday, leaving roads underwater, cars stranded and hotels without power.
EPABrits headed to Spain this Easter will face plummeting temperatures and even snow[/caption]
AemetWeather agencies are also predicting showers over the Easter week[/caption]
ReutersThe flooded El Trebol apartment complex, in Costa Teguise, on the island of Lanzarote, Spain April 12[/caption]
XSeveral roads in Lanzarote were completely engulfed by water following intense rainfall on Saturday[/caption]
Holidaymakers in Majorca and Ibiza are also on alert, with heavy rain and hail forecast across both islands following the devastating downpour in Lanzarote.
The Spanish State Meteorological Agency (AEMET) has now issued a special Easter week forecast – warning of more wild weather to come across the country.
Stormy Easter
On Monday, heavy rain and thunderstorms are expected along the Galician coast and parts of the Mediterranean.
Strong winds will batter coastal areas, especially in the northeast, while the Balearics could see more intense storms.
Temperatures will drop in most places, the AEMET said, except along the Cantabrian coast.
From Tuesday to Wednesday, a wave of icy polar air will sweep across Spain, sending temperatures tumbling and bringing snow to higher ground.
Snowfall could hit areas as low as 900 metres above sea level, especially in mountain regions, while rain and thunderstorms continue across much of the country.
Holidaymakers should expect showers, isolated storms, and snowfall across the main mountain ranges.
Winds will remain strong, particularly in the southeast and over the Alboran Sea.
Thursday will bring a brief break in the weather, with rising temperatures and only light rain in parts of the north.
But a fresh storm is expected to move in on Good Friday, spreading rain across the northwest and hitting most of the country by Saturday.
Western and northern regions will see the heaviest downpours, while thunderstorms are likely further east.
After a brief warm-up, temperatures will fall again heading into the weekend, according to the AEMET.
By Easter Sunday, unsettled conditions are likely in the north, east and Balearic Islands, with the risk of heavy showers and thunderstorms continuing into Monday.
Flood chaos
It follows a weekend of weather chaos in Lanzarote, where a short and sharp storm unleashed catastrophic flooding across the island.
A two-hour torrent on Saturday dumped more than 100 litres of rain per square metre in parts of Costa Teguise — the equivalent of over a year’s rainfall.
The UK government issued a travel warning after the island was swamped by floods in a catastrophic rainstorm.
“Services across the island are affected. Some hotels are currently without power. Some roads are currently affected by mud,” the official alert stated.
EPAFlash floods have ravaged Lanzarote[/caption]
XThe city of Arrecife (pictured) was one of the worst-hit areas[/caption]
“If you are in Lanzarote or travelling to Lanzarote, follow the advice of the local authorities and monitor local weather updates.”
Staggering footage showed homes and businesses left ruined and roads turned into rivers in Arrecife, San Bartolomé and other towns.
Officials declared a state of emergency, with the town of Arrecife pushing for a state of catastrophe to be declared — opening the door for recovery funds.
Local mayor Yonathan de León praised the community for pulling together and said draining the water and cleaning up were top priorities.
The UK Foreign Office also issued an alert for Ibiza and Majorca, as the storm system — named Olivier — pushed east.
A yellow alert for heavy rain and hail was issued across both islands on Sunday night, and extended into Monday.
“Holidaymakers could be struck by severe rainfall and devastating storms,” AEMET warned.
“The yellow warning is expected to be deactivated on Monday afternoon – after conditions should improve.”
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