ALERT: Irish holidaymakers hit with unusual Lanzarote holiday warning

Irish people escaping the February gloom for sunny Spain have been hit with disastrous weather news from holiday hotspots around the Canary Islands.

Many Irish families are heading away in the coming days to take advantage of the school midterm break with Spain and the Canary Islands among the favourite destinations. 

An unusual spell of wet and windy weather has prompted Spain Met Éireann equivalent AEMET to issue a series of weather warnings.

The forecast warns of heavy rain and dangerous waves with the warning covering Monday to Wednesday.

AEMET warned: "From Monday to Wednesday there will be strong or very strong gusts of wind in the Canary Islands, showers more likely on Monday and Tuesday in the western islands and warnings for coastal areas on Tuesday and Wednesday." They added that the Atlantic front will bring occasional showers to mainland Spain but the Canary Islands like Lanzarote and Tenerife will be worst-affected.

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A Status Yellow rain warning is in place for Lanzarote and warns of "short but strong showers". 15mm of rain could fall on the island in a few hours.

Lanzarote, La Palma, Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura, La Gomera and El Hierro are also under a Status Yellow coastal warning, with wave swells reaching four or five metres. Winds at sea could reach 60km/h.

Holidaymakers are advised to stay updated on local forecasts in case of dangerous conditions and specific advice.