The State Meteorological Agency (Aemet) has issued a warning for the return of the calima—a mass of suspended Saharan dust—set to affect the Canary Islands from the afternoon of Saturday, 6 September, continuing until midnight on Monday, 8 September.
Islands Under Yellow Warning
The phenomenon will primarily affect Gran Canaria, Lanzarote and Fuerteventura, where visibility is expected to drop to around 3,000 metres. Aemet has declared a yellow alert, indicating a moderate level of risk with a probability of between 40% and 70%.
Local Impacts by Island
- Gran Canaria: The reduction in visibility will be most noticeable in the mountainous regions as well as the eastern, southern and western zones. However, Aemet does not rule out the possibility of dust spreading into lower-altitude areas.
- Lanzarote and Fuerteventura: The calima is expected to mainly affect southern-facing high areas, though the dust cloud could extend into other parts of the islands.
Health and Environmental Concerns
Episodes of calima are not uncommon in the archipelago. The suspended dust particles—carried from the Sahara Desert—can affect air quality, reducing visibility for drivers and posing health risks, particularly for people with respiratory conditions.
According to recent studies, the Canary Islands have a long history of calima events, highlighting their recurring impact on daily life, public health, and local tourism.
