Canaries in RED ALERT for ‘hurricane-force’ Storm Nuria bringing ‘maximum danger’ as tourists warned and schools close

A RED alert has been declared by the Canary Island's government on Tenerife and La Palma with "hurricane-force" winds set to hit in hours.

Brit tourists have been urged to avoid these areas between midnight tonight up until Thursday April 3.

Hurricane-force gusts of 68 to 81 miles per hour - and even stronger -along with dangerous sea conditions, are expected to batter Tenerife and La Palma.

The most severe conditions are anticipated on Spain's western islands of Tenerife, La Palma, El Hierro and La Gomera.

High-altitude zones, like the summits of La Palma, the Teide National Park and the parts of Tenerife where the south airport is located, will also be hard hit.

The other islands on the archipelago are braced for strong wind gusts ranging from 43 to 62 miles per hour.

Gran Canaria is under an orange alert in its northern and mountainous regions from midday on Thursday until midnight.

In anticipation of Storm Nuria, schools in Tenerife, La Palma and La Graciosa will be closed on Thursday.

The Canaries usually enjoy sunny weather and average daily temperatures of 18C around this time of year, making them a popular holiday destination for British holidaymakers.

But Spain's Met Office - AEMET - issued the Red Notice today for the east of La Palma in Tenerife.

The agency said in a tweet: "Storm Nuria will leave hurricane-force wind gusts, exceeding 130km/hr, between 5am and 5pm (Canary Islands time) on Thursday, April 3.

"The danger is extraordinary. Extreme caution."

Tourists have been warned to close their doors and windows to avoid damage to property from the storm.

Nuria is the fourteenth named high-impact storm of the season.

Along with the Canary Islands, the storm will bring rain, strong winds and cooler temperatures to much of Spain.

Heavy rainfall is also expected to hit Galicia, the Balearic Islands and the Cantabrian mountain range.

Authorities have also announced yellow warnings in the provinces of Cadiz, Huelva and Seville.

The arrival of storm Nuria will interrupt the period of dry and warm weather that Spain has experienced in previous weeks.

The Canary Islands were ravaged by flooding last month - with Gran Canaria battered by torrential rain.

Tourists and locals saw their cars swept away in devastating flash floods, as they were told to stay indoors.

Shocking pictures and video from the time showed dangerous waters destroying homes and covering streets with piles of mud.

Terrifying footage showed a woman being rescued from a car engulfed in flood water in Gran Canaria.