This was my poor car which was parked outside our house when the calima weather storm hit us in Spain. It looked like someone had dumped a skip load of wet mud onto my car then followed it up with a second load, for good measure.
Our usually crystal clear swimming pool ended up looking like something form a horror movie set in a jungle swamp. This all happened when we were living down in the Granada region and we ended up getting the exterior of our house painted, as it had gone from a nice, bright white to a mucky grey and red tinged colour. Co-incidentally this all happened just as we were getting ready to list the house for sale!
Get ready to understand causes and the impact of Calima weather and its Saharan sand! This phenomenon, brought by east-southeast trade winds, causes hazy skies, reduced visibility, and higher temperatures in Spain. It decreases air quality and affects your daily life. Understanding its meteorological causes can help you predict and prepare for its effects.
Calima (Saharan sand)
When Calima weather hits Tenerife or mainland Spain, brace yourself for hazy skies and reduced visibility caused by Saharan sand carried by the trade winds. This phenomenon, originating in the Sahara Desert, can lead to decreased air quality and higher temperatures too. If you search on Google or Bing for Calima Tenerife Photos, you’ll be stunned at what you’ll discover.
Be prepared for the impacts on flora, fauna, and daily life as the Calima phenomenon unfolds.
Meteorological causes
The Calima phenomenon, also known as Saharan sand, is caused by east-southeast trade winds carrying dust particles from the Sahara Desert to Spain, resulting in hazy and dusty skies. These trade winds pick up fine particles of sand and dust from the desert, transporting them over long distances until they settle over the Canary Islands.
The dust particles suspended in the air scatter sunlight, creating the characteristic haze and reducing visibility. This phenomenon is more common during certain times of the year when the trade winds are stronger, leading to prolonged periods of hazy conditions.
Calima Tenerife Effects
Experiencing the Calima phenomenon can greatly affect your daily life. The hazy, dusty skies from the Sahara bring decreased air quality, reduced visibility, and increased temperatures. This can impact your outdoor activities and health, especially for those with respiratory issues.
To cope with Calima, keep updated through local forecasts, limit outdoor exposure, wear sunglasses or goggles for eye protection, and stay hydrated to prevent dehydration. In Santa Cruz de Tenerife, disruptions and discomfort are common during Calima episodes, but being informed and prepared can help minimize the impact.
Understanding Calima: How This Sahara Dust Phenomenon Affects Spain
Feeling the effects of the Calima weather phenomenon in Spain may lead to decreased air quality and discomfort in daily activities. As the Sahara dust makes its way to Spain through the east-southeast trade winds, it brings hazy skies and a fine layer of dust, reducing visibility and causing an increase in temperature. The dusty air can have a significant impact on the flora and fauna in the region.
Is a Calima Dangerous To Health?
A Calima can make the air unbreathable, posing health risks to residents and visitors alike.
The dust particles carried in the wind can irritate your respiratory system, causing breathing difficulties and exacerbating conditions like asthma.
It’s important to take precautions and listen to health advisories during a Calima to protect yourself from potential health hazards.
Can Make The Air Unbreathable
During a Calima phenomenon, the air can become imperative, posing a risk to respiratory health, especially for individuals with conditions like asthma. The fine dust particles carried by the east-southeast trade winds from the Sahara Desert can irritate the respiratory system, leading to breathing difficulties and exacerbating existing lung conditions. These particles can penetrate deep into the lungs, causing inflammation and potentially triggering asthma attacks.
How Does the Saharan Dust Get to Spain?
One way the Saharan dust reaches Spain is by being carried over by the east-southeast trade winds, impacting regions like the Canary Islands with the Calima phenomenon. This weather event occurs when fine particles of sand and dust from the Sahara Desert are lifted into the atmosphere by strong winds. These particles can travel vast distances, carried by the trade winds across the Atlantic Ocean to reach Spain. The east-southeast trade winds play a vital role in transporting the dust over long distances, eventually leading to the hazy skies and dusty conditions experienced during a Calima event.
The image below shows my car after the first wash after the Calima!
How To Prepare For A Calima Storm?
To be well-prepared for a Calima storm, start by staying informed through local forecasts, AEMET is a great site for forecasting weather, and taking necessary precautions. Calima storms, originating from the Sahara Desert and affecting the southern regions of Spain or the Canary Islands like Tenerife, bring hazy, dusty skies, reduced air quality, and increased temperatures.
Secure any loose shutters, keep the shutters closed as well as windows. If you have any garden furniture or sun loungers move these into the garage or storage outbuilding.
Maintain Hydration: Ensure you consume sufficient water to remain hydrated. The arid Calima conditions can accelerate dehydration more than normal.
Minimize Time Spent Outdoors: It’s best to stay inside to circumvent the dusty atmosphere. Keep windows and doors shut to preserve the quality of the air indoors.
Safeguard Your Eyes and Epidermis: Don sunglasses and apply sunblock when going outside. The Calima may provoke irritation in your eyes and heighten the likelihood of getting a sunburn due to elevated levels of UV rays.
Select Suitable Attire: Choose airy, loose-fitting attire and seek shade if you’re outside. This will shield your skin and aid in regulating your body’s temperature. But try to avoid going outdoors during this weather occurrence.
Use a Respiratory Mask: Should it be necessary to go outdoors, utilize a face mask outdoors when the air quality diminishes. A mask is effective in filtering tiny particles from the atmosphere, safeguarding your pulmonary and respiratory health
