The Canary Islands Government's Department of Education, Vocational Training, Physical Activity and Sports has decreed the temporary closure of educational centers in the archipelago due to the arrival of Storm Therese, which is generating an episode of intense wind, rain and adverse coastal phenomena on several islands.
According to the regional government, classes will switch to online learning from Thursday, March 19th in part of the archipelago, while on Friday the 20th, in-person activities will be suspended on all islands, following the recommendations of the Directorate General of Emergencies and Civil Protection to avoid unnecessary travel during the weather event.
On Thursday, March 19, schools will be closed and classes will be held entirely online in Tenerife, La Palma, La Gomera, and El Hierro throughout the day, as well as in La Graciosa due to the risk associated with adverse coastal conditions. In Gran Canaria, the measure will be implemented from the afternoon and evening onwards, when a progressive deterioration of weather conditions is expected.
According to the forecast from AEMET Canarias, the storm will bring an increase in wind and rainfall to Gran Canaria on Thursday, with a greater impact in the north and in mid-altitude areas.
In the south and southeast of Gran Canaria, municipalities such as San Bartolomé de Tirajana, Mogán, Ingenio or Agüimes could register cloudy intervals with locally moderate showers, in addition to gusts of wind that could exceed 60 or 70 km/h in exposed areas, especially in coastal areas and in areas near summits.
The temporary closure of schools also affects administrative and support staff, who must follow the organizational instructions established by each school and by the Regional Ministry of Education. The Government of the Canary Islands recommends that families, students, and education system workers follow updates through official channels regarding any changes in the storm's development.
