The unsettled start to Holy Week across the Canary Islands, marked by dense haze and muted, dust-filled skies, is now approaching a decisive shift. According to the latest update from Agencia Estatal de Meteorología, the calima that has dominated recent days is finally set to retreat. Yet this improvement comes with a clear caveat: a new phase of adverse conditions is expected to follow almost immediately, driven by intensifying winds.
A gradual but decisive end to the calima
The airborne Saharan dust that has reduced visibility and affected air quality across the archipelago will begin to disperse this Wednesday in a west-to-east progression.
The easternmost islands — Lanzarote and Fuerteventura — will be the first to experience a noticeable improvement, with skies clearing throughout the morning. On the more mountainous islands, including Tenerife and Gran Canaria, the process will unfold more slowly. Here, the haze is expected to linger into midday, gradually retreating towards the north-east and giving way to clearer conditions from the afternoon onwards.
As the dust lifts, temperatures will stabilise at typical seasonal levels. Daytime highs in the capital areas are forecast to hover around 22°C, while inland regions may see slightly milder nights due to changing air masses. However, this apparent return to calm conditions is only temporary.
The warning behind the improvement: wind intensifies
As the calima withdraws, atmospheric pressure patterns will shift, ushering in a new dominant feature: strong and, at times, very strong winds. This is the key concern highlighted by AEMET, which stresses that improving visibility should not lead to complacency.
In Tenerife, the most exposed areas will be the south-eastern slopes and the northern midlands, particularly between Tegueste and Santa Úrsula, where powerful gusts may occur intermittently. On La Palma, the Aridane Valley and the municipality of El Paso are expected to bear the brunt of the strongest winds.
Coastal impact: rougher seas and heightened caution
The change in wind direction towards the north-east will directly affect maritime conditions across the islands. Winds are forecast at force 4 to 5, with locally stronger gusts reaching force 6 in channels between islands.
This will generate a moderate to rough sea state, with waves of between two and three metres expected from the north or north-east. As a result, authorities advise heightened caution in coastal areas, particularly on exposed beaches and in bathing zones during Holy Wednesday.
Island-by-island outlook
- Lanzarote and Fuerteventura: Morning transition followed by clear skies. Moderate north-easterly winds will dominate the rest of the day.
- Gran Canaria: Dust may persist over higher ground until midday. Coastal areas will see easterly winds shifting to the north-east, with highs around 22°C.
- Tenerife: Generally clear with intervals of mid-level cloud. Strong gusts expected in the north and south-east. In Santa Cruz, temperatures will range between 16°C and 22°C.
- La Gomera and El Hierro: Rising temperatures at mid-altitudes. El Hierro will be the last to clear, with particularly strong gusts in El Golfo.
- La Palma: Alternating cloud and sunshine, with strong winds in the north-west and south-east. Temperatures may reach 23°C in Santa Cruz de La Palma.
A brief window of relief — followed by renewed vigilance
While the end of the calima will bring a welcome improvement in air quality and visibility, the broader weather pattern remains unstable. The transition from dust-laden skies to wind-driven conditions underscores the need for continued caution, particularly for those planning outdoor or coastal activities during Holy Week.
