AEMET issues special warning over Storm Bruna for the Canary Islands and mainland Spain

AEMET, Spain's weather agency, issued a special warning on Saturday for an episode of heavy rain, strong wind and rough seas across mainland Spain and the Canary Islands that could last until Wednesday or even Thursday, with a risk of local flooding and river rises, according to elDiario.es. The agency attributes the situation to a broad low-pressure system west of the peninsula, with Storm Bruna at its centre, and warns that rain could be especially persistent in areas affected by last summer's wildfires.

In the Canary Islands, AEMET forecasts accumulations this Sunday of about 120 litres per square metre in Tenerife and between 150 and 180 in La Palma, and a lull on Monday and the first half of Tuesday, according to elDiario.es. Diario de Avisos reports orange warnings for rain on La Palma, Tenerife, La Gomera, El Hierro and Gran Canaria, and warnings on all eight islands.

On the mainland, the episode will intensify from Sunday afternoon. Monday will be one of the worst days, with more than 60 litres in western and southern Galicia, parts of the west of the peninsula and western Andalusia, and 120 to 150 litres in the western Central System and northern Extremadura, as well as gusts that could exceed 100 to 120 km/h in high areas of the north, according to the forecast reported by elDiario.es.

The Cabildo of Gran Canaria declared an island-wide alert from 12:00 on Saturday. The Cabildo of La Gomera announced the closure of trails, forest tracks and the El Rejo road, and the Santa Cruz de Tenerife city council activated its municipal emergency plan with the closure of municipal facilities, according to RTVC. AEMET says that, amid uncertainty, a gradual decrease in rain is expected from Thursday.