A Calima – pronounced ‚Kalima‘ – is a type of sandstorm. Fine desert sand is carried by the wind from the Sahara for hundreds of kilometres towards the Canary Islands and Cape Verde. The world-famous desert lies only about 300 kilometres to the east, directly in line with the Canary Islands.
What is a Calima?
During a Calima, a high-pressure system causes temperatures over the Sahara to rise. The fine desert sand is then sucked into the atmosphere by rising air and can thus be carried hundreds of kilometres towards the Canary Islands on the south-easterly current.
This results in brownish-yellow patches on satellite images. Up close, a Calima often manifests itself in poor visibility and rising temperatures. At the same time, humidity usually drops rapidly. Precipitation is rather rare due to the very dry air. However, thunderstorms may form towards the end of a Calima.
If a Calima occurs with strong winds, it can cause damage to the natural environment. During the winter months, it often occurs with high wind speeds. The sky then becomes hazy at first. In severe weather conditions of this kind, visibility gradually decreases. In extreme cases, it can be as low as a few hundred metres.
In summer, Calima can contribute to forest fires in the Canary Islands. Extreme drought and heat literally parch the natural environment. If forest fires and Calima occur at the same time, this makes fire-fighting efforts considerably more difficult. The wind flares up the flames and the dry conditions provide more fuel.
Is a Canary Islands Calima dangerous?
Calimas can occur suddenly and, in some cases, be very intense. It has been observed that on Tenerife a storm suddenly broke out and the air masses changed abruptly. Sudden drops in temperature at night, accompanied by a rapid fall in humidity, are also normal.
This weather phenomenon should not be underestimated, particularly by older and unwell people. Researchers, in collaboration with the University of La Laguna (ULL) in Tenerife, have found that the risk of a heart attack rises by up to two per cent during a Calima weather event. People who are sensitive to changes in the weather should avoid leaving the house, at least during the midday hours. It is also recommended that they drink plenty of water. The dry, dusty air can dry out the airways and exacerbate bronchial problems.
How does a Calima affect nature?
Usually, as a result of a Calima, entire streets, cars and other objects left outdoors are completely covered in fine sand. When cleaning sensitive surfaces, such as painted surfaces, only running water should be used. Cloths and other objects that create friction can leave scratch marks due to the fine sand.
Are flights cancelled during a Calima?
In particularly severe cases, air traffic may even have to be suspended. The fine sand can significantly impair visibility. Furthermore, in high concentrations, it can clog aircraft turbines. Flight delays or cancellations are therefore possible, though often unlikely.
Calima warning for the Canary Islands
Due to the geographical conditions mentioned, a Calima usually originates in Africa and first affects the eastern Canary Islands of Lanzarote and Fuerteventura. From there, the weather phenomenon then moves on to the western Canary Islands of Gran Canaria and Tenerife. Sometimes it even reaches La Gomera, El Hierro and La Palma. In extreme cases, Calima weather conditions can last for up to several weeks. Calima events can occasionally even reach as far as the Cape Verde Islands.
All the latest Calima news
We have produced a Calima forecast for you. Our system has been trained using a year’s worth of real-world data and can now clearly indicate for the Canary Islands when a Calima is on the way and how severe it will be. Below you will find the Calima forecast for the Canary Islands, and further down you can go straight to the…
«Calima explained: All about the Canary Islands sandstorm»
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