Canary Islands Calima hits five islands from Friday

A strong Calima will cloud the air on Friday over Gran Canaria, Lanzarote and Fuerteventura, whilst it will be only light over Tenerife and La Gomera. The Calima forecast from Teneriffa News classifies air quality on Tenerife and La Gomera as poor, whilst La Palma remains free of Calima throughout the entire forecast period. The forecast is based on the Copernicus CAMS model and measurements from the European Environment Agency.

Of the three islands, La Palma is not affected by the Calima. There, the daily average concentration of PM10 particulate matter is at most 20 micrograms per cubic metre, whilst on La Gomera it is 62 on Sunday. Tenerife reaches 72 micrograms per cubic metre on Sunday, whilst Lanzarote has the lowest figure on Monday, at 63 micrograms per cubic metre, of the islands for which the forecast indicates severe Calima.

In Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura and Lanzarote, Saharan dust will persist every day until Monday. Gran Canaria will reach 65 micrograms per cubic metre as early as Friday, yet the highest level in the entire forecast, 105 micrograms per cubic metre, will not be recorded there until Monday. Gran Canaria, Lanzarote and Fuerteventura will see the longest spell of Saharan dust.

Canary Islands: Calima lasts longer and irritates the respiratory tract

In Gran Canaria and Fuerteventura, the strong Calima will last from Thursday to Friday. Fuerteventura will not reach its daily average until Friday, when particulate matter levels will stand at 67 micrograms per cubic metre. Air quality there is also considered poor.

In Lanzarote, air pollution levels will also rise from Thursday and continue until Saturday. On Friday, the daily average concentration of particulate matter there will be 67 micrograms per cubic metre; air quality is classified as poor.

Fine Saharan dust irritates the eyes and airways. People with asthma, other respiratory or heart conditions, the elderly and pregnant women should avoid physical exertion outdoors. Keeping windows and doors closed and drinking plenty of fluids can help.

How strong is the Calima today? Calima forecast and readings for the Canary Islands