Rain and wind warning for La Palma as strong Calima hits two islands

For Friday, the Spanish weather agency has AEMET across all of La Palma eine Regenwarnung issued at yellow level.

It is due to be in force from midnight until 2.59 pm, and within an hour the rainfall could reach up to 15 millimetres. According to the weather service’s forecast, the rain is most likely to hit the south and west of the island. The AEMET puts the probability at between 40 and 70 per cent. On Saturday, a second yellow warning will come into force, this time for wind, again covering the whole island from 12 noon until midnight. Gusts of up to 70 kilometres per hour are expected, again with a probability of between 40 and 70 per cent.

La Palma: Gusts are affecting the peaks and the east coast in particular

According to the Met Office, the wind will mainly affect the mountainous regions, the north-west and the east coast of the island. There will be a good 21 hours between the end of the rain warning and the start of the wind warning.

If it rains in the higher elevations of La Palma, or if there is a thunderstorm there, torrential waters can gather in the barrancos and rush down through the gorges to the coast. Anyone in or near the barrancos should therefore take particular care.

Calima is causing air quality to deteriorate on Lanzarote and Fuerteventura

This is stated in the Calima forecast by Teneriffa News, which is based on the Copernicus CAMS model and measurements from the European Environment Agency. The daily average concentration of PM10 particulate matter is 55 micrograms per cubic metre on Lanzarote and 51 micrograms on Fuerteventura; air quality is therefore poor on both islands.

The fine Saharan dust irritates the eyes and airways. People with asthma or other respiratory or heart conditions should avoid physical exertion outdoors, as should the elderly and pregnant women. The effects can be alleviated somewhat by keeping windows and doors closed and drinking plenty of fluids.

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