World · Europe · 1 hr ago
Storm Charles disrupts travel and schools across Spain
Storm Charles brought severe weather to Spain on Wednesday, with strong winds, heavy rain and rough seas.
The storm has particularly affected the Canary Islands, Andalusia and western parts of mainland Spain.
Reports give different wind readings: one recorded gusts of 124 km/h at Tenerife’s Izaña station, while another reported gusts of up to 180 km/h near Teide National Park.
Schools closed in Tenerife, La Palma and La Graciosa, and flights were cancelled or diverted in the islands.
Ferry departures from Tarifa were also cancelled, and a cruise ship called off a planned stop in Cádiz.
Rising rivers triggered serious flood alerts, including a red alert for the Tormes in Salamanca, while Madrid activated its pre-emergency flood plan.
Authorities urged people to follow official guidance and take care while travelling as the storm continued to affect the country.
Storm Charles brought strong winds, heavy rain and rough seas to Spain, disrupting transport and prompting school closures.
Authorities suspended in-person classes in Tenerife, La Palma and La Graciosa because of strong winds.
Flights were cancelled or diverted in the Canary Islands, and ferry departures from Tarifa were cancelled.
The storm caused gusts of up to 180 km/h near Teide, according to 20minutos.
Rising water levels put rivers and infrastructure under close watch, including the Tormes in Salamanca and the El Horcajo dam in Ávila.
By Thursday, the storm was expected to weaken, although 11 autonomous communities remained under weather alerts.
- Who
- Residents, travellers and students in affected parts of Spain. Authorities and transport operators also took preventive measures.
- What
- Storm Charles brought severe weather, disrupting flights and ferry services and leading to school suspensions.
- When
- Wednesday, 11 November 2026; the storm was expected to weaken on Thursday.
- Where
- Across Spain, with particular effects in the Canary Islands, Andalusia and western parts of the mainland.
- Why
- Strong winds, heavy rain and rough seas associated with Storm Charles and the wider weather episode.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The weather episode was described by El País as beginning with Storm Bruna.
El Mundo reported that the first fronts associated with Bruna arrived.
Storm Charles brought severe weather, flight disruptions and school suspensions across affected areas.
Charles was expected to cross inland and move northeast as rain and wind gradually eased.
El País said all weather alerts were expected to end.
- Peak gust reported
- 180 km/h near Teide, according to 20minutos
- Classes suspended
- Tenerife, La Palma and La Graciosa
- Flights
- 27 cancelled and 11 diverted in the Canary Islands, according to 20minutos
- River Tormes
- 942.1 cubic metres per second and 5.27 metres at Puente del Congosto
- Weather alerts
- 11 autonomous communities under alert on Wednesday, according to El País
- Tarifa port
- Ferry departures cancelled from 14:00 on Wednesday
3 sources
‘Charles’ afloja pero aún dejará un día más de temporal, con 11 comunidades bajo aviso
La borrasca Charles provoca vientos de hasta 124 km/h y obliga a suspender clases, vuelos y conexiones marítimas
La borrasca Charles deja vientos de 180 km/h, clases suspendidas, vuelos cancelados y ríos en alerta roja
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⚠️ Mucha precaución este miércoles: jornada muy adversa por la lluvia, el viento y el mal estado de la mar como consecuencia de la borrasca Charles. ℹ️ Mantente informado de la situación meteorológica y sigue las recomendaciones de Protección Civil.
Evolución de dos borrascas a través de las imágenes des satélite Meteosat; la #borrascaCharles que ya ha penetrado por el suroeste de la Península y la #borrascaBruna, en el Atlántico frente a las costas de Galicia🧵