The small island areas oriented to coastal tourism are highly vulnerable to marine storms, given the fluctuation of this economic sector and the increase in its exposure due to the increasing anthropogenic presence on the coastline. In this context, the storms between 1958 and 2017 are studied here in the most important tourist enclaves of Tenerife and Gran Canaria, located in the municipalities of Arona and Adeje (SW of Tenerife) and in San Bartolomé de Tirajana and Mogán (S-SW of Gran Canaria). In order to perform the analysis, wave data from State Ports (Spain) (SIMAR-44 nodes, Ministry of Transport, Mobility and Urban Agenda of Spain) are used. A statistical study of the phenomena can help establish a threshold for the identification of a marine storm based on a significant wave height (Hs) of 2.7 m in Arona and Adeje and 1.7 m in San Bartolomé de Tirajana and Mogán. The application of this threshold identified 144 episodes in the SW of Tenerife and 154 in the S-SW of Gran Canaria. Their behavior is examined from, on the one hand, the duration, seasonality, type of waves and degree of severity that characterizes them; and, on the other, from the state of the atmosphere that concurs in its genesis by means of the Wetterzentrale synoptic maps. Finally, a first assessment of the effects of these stormy phenomena is made using local press reports on drowning, damage to urban furniture and port infrastructures and loss of sand on the beaches.

The combination of the current sea level rise (SLR) and an increase in the frequency and severity of sea storm events and surges, will have important environmental impacts on coastal tourist areas located in oceanic islands that are often heavily dependent economically on tourism. Importantly, coastal tourist resorts and their associated beaches are commonly located in the S-SW of these islands where they are protected from the effects of the NE trade winds but exposed to these storms. This study analyses the current and future conditions of SW sea storm events. Then, through mapping using orthophotos, LiDAR data, and bathymetry with high spatial resolution, it studies the environmental effects that these events are having now and will have in the future on tourist zones of oceanic islands. This is of particular importance, as in the case of the Macaronesia islands, SW sea storm events are occurring with ever greater frequency. The case study considers the SW sector of the island of Gran Canaria (Canary Islands, Spain). Regarding the analysis of SW storms, the results obtained show an increase in the frequency of events, especially since the 1990s, with 104 events detected (67.5% between 1958 and 2018). The most affected areas during these storms are usually beaches (severe erosive processes). Breakwaters and seafronts usually resist the impact of waves well, however, as is discussed that in the future scenario, their implementation will mean a high economic cost for local administrations.

The small island areas oriented to coastal tourism are highly vulnerable to marine storms, given the fluctuation of this economic sector and the increase of its exposure due to the increasing anthropogenic presence on the coastline. In this context, the storms between 1958 and 2017 are studied here in the most important tourist enclaves of Tenerife and Gran Canaria, located in the municipalities of Arona and Adeje (SW of Tenerife) and in San Bartolomé de Tirajana and Mogán (S-SW of Gran Canaria). In order to perform the analysis, wave data from State Ports (Spain) (SIMAR-44 nodes, Ministry of Transport, Mobility and Urban Agenda of Spain) are used. A statistical study of the phenomena can help establish a threshold for the identification of a marine storm based on a significant wave height (Hs) of 2.7 meters in Arona and Adeje and 1.7 meters in San Bartolomé de Tirajana and Mogán. The application of this threshold identified 144 episodes in the SW of Tenerife and 154 in the S-SW of Gran Canaria. Their behavior is examined from, on the one hand, the duration, seasonality, type of waves and degree of severity that characterizes them; and, on the other, from the state of the atmosphere that concurs in its genesis by means of the Wetterzentrale synoptic maps. Finally, a first assessment of the effects of these stormy phenomena is made using local press reports on drowning, damage to urban furniture and port infrastructures and loss of sand on the beaches.