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Brits looking to jet out to a set of Spanish islands loved for their hot weather and beaches could be met with travel chaos as snow, floods and heavy winds batter the area

A holiday hotspot loved by Brits for sunshine and hot weather has been blanketed by snow just days before people's Easter getaways.

The Canary Islands were hit with an orange alert after days of heavy rain and high winds, but the weather misery is set to continue. Forecasters have predicted the poor weather could carry on for at least another five days, which could ruin plans for some holidaymakers.

Shocking images from Tenerife showed the much-loved getaway island covered in snow with icicles even forming in some areas. Surprised tourists took videos of the white out at the Teide National Park with some roads closed due to the surprising conditions.

Snowfall is expected to continue to hit parts of the island above 1,800-2,000 meters. Storm Therese has pummelled the islands with major rainfall, which has led to flash flooding and landslides in some parts.

Weather warnings were issued for the Canary Islands on Wednesday for several types of extreme weather, including: storms, floodings, high winds heavy rainfall and high waves.

Wind gusts have shockingly exceeded 74 miles per hour in some areas, with the warm sunshine Brits typically expect nowhere in sight for the next few days.

The awful weather has also led to travel chaos with at least seven flights to the Canary Islands were cancelled or diverted on Thursday. This comes after 36 flights were cancelled on Wednesday.

On Friday, conditions are expected to worsen and could be the most intense period of Storm Therese. Orange rain alerts have been issued for the islands of Tenerife, El Hierro, La Palma and La Gomera, according to Canarian Weekly.

Up to 11mm of rain is expected to fall in just 12 hours on the holiday hotspot. An amber rain warning has been issued for Gran Canarian, with 80mm of rain expected. Forecasters have also predicted dangerious sea conditions between Tenerife and Gran Canaria, with waves reaching up to six metres and wind up to force eight.

The storm is thought to ease a little on Saturday but significant disruption is still expected. Orange rain alerts remain in place for La Palma and Tenerife. Wind gusts of up to 55 miles per hour are expected to continue.

Tourists and locals have been urged to avoid unnecessary journeys during severe weather, take extra care around costal or mountainous areas and follow advice from local officials. The weather has also forced schools on the Canary Islands to close until the extreme conditions pass.