Calima Alert Issued for All Canary Islands

Pre-Alert Declared for Saharan Dust Event

The Government of the Canary Islands, through its Directorate General for Emergencies, has declared a pre-alert for calima across all islands. The alert will come into effect from 12:00 midday on Monday, 30 March, due to forecasts of a significant suspended dust episode affecting the entire archipelago.

Island-Wide Impact Forecast

The decision was made based on information provided by the State Meteorological Agency and other available sources, in line with the Specific Emergency Plan for Adverse Meteorological Phenomena (PEFMA). Forecasts indicate the calima will affect coastal areas, mid-altitude regions, and mountain peaks across all islands, with significant concentrations of suspended dust expected throughout the autonomous community.

Timeline of the Phenomenon

The phenomenon will first manifest in the eastern islands from midday on Monday. It is then predicted to extend to the rest of the archipelago during the afternoon of Monday and throughout Tuesday, 31 March. Consequently, the calima is expected to affect all of the Canaries from midday on Tuesday, with potential consequences for air quality and visibility.

Official Advice for the Public

In light of this situation, the Directorate General for Emergencies urges the public to follow self-protection advice. This is particularly important for vulnerable individuals or those with pre-existing respiratory problems.

TIME CONTEXT: Original article publication date: Sun Mar 29 2026 14:12:18 GMT+0100 (Western European Summer Time) Current date: 29 March 2026, Sunday

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