Schools were closed Monday throughout the Canary Islands and several inter-island flights were cancelled, with others suffering delays as the first winds of Atlantic tropical storm Delta hit the archipelago. Keen to allay fears among the population who might be concerned about the risk of damage on a par with that caused by Wilma or Katrina, simply because this is a named storm, local TV presenters interviewed meteorologists on air via telephone link.
Presenter: "What is the difference between this and previous storms we've seen in the archipelago?"Not entirely sure how exactly that helps mind you. Meteorologists predicted wind speeds of between 75 and 100 kmph in the uplands of Tenerife and La Palma, possibly reaching 150 kmph or more on the summit of Mount Teide. Winds have continued to buffet Secret Tenerife's "headquarters" throughout Monday, but, so far, with less force than we have seen on previous occasions. Electricity supplies have been interrupted more than once, but we have decided to follow official advice to the letter and "avoid unnecessary trips". Lock up, wrap up and sit it out, is usually the best way to deal with these short lived weather fronts.
Meteorologist: "The Hurricane Center in Miami gave it a name."
Situación de alerta ante los fuertes vientos y lluvias, preludio de la tormenta 'Delta' NASA image from Goddard Space Flight Center, Public domain