Brits basking in the Canary Islands over the festive period are facing an unexpected weather alert as meteorologists issue warnings of an imminent “calima”.
This weather phenomenon is known for bringing vast clouds of dust from the Sahara, engulfing skies with a red or yellow tint.
Weather experts from El Tiempo predict the calima will “strongly” impact the Canary Islands. Its report highlights concerns about significantly reduced visibility and deteriorating air quality: “The haze in the Canary Islands will cause visibility to be poor, and it is foreseeable that the air quality will worsen considerably.”
Earlier this week, heavy rain and storms struck the islands with places like Tenerife and La Palma receiving over 10mm of rainfall at times.
The report concludes with a stark outlook, warning that as Tuesday dust levels will surge: “The atmosphere will favour the entry of a mass of Saharan air with a high load of suspended dust.
“From the end of Tuesday [December 24], and especially during the early hours and morning of Christmas Day, the skies will be covered in suspended dust.”, reports the Express.
Residents and holidaymakers on the eastern islands should brace for the worst, where dust concentrations are anticipated to peak, prompting a serious drop in air quality across the region.
The calima, a dust storm that originates from the Sahara, is set to linger over the islands until December 26. The phenomenon is caused by air masses moving over the arid desert, lifting fine soil particles into the atmosphere with strong winds.
Some of these sand clouds can reach altitudes of up to 6,000 metres. These settling dust particles can cause respiratory issues, particularly for those with pre-existing conditions, making it advisable to wear masks when outdoors during a calima.
The weather conditions can become so severe that public services may be suspended. For instance, in January 2002, Santa Cruz International Airport had to close due to visibility dropping below 50 metres.
In 2020, the wind spread three wildfires, leading to the evacuation of around 2,000 residents in Tenerife and Gran Canaria. The latter experienced the worst air quality globally that weekend, with particle density about 40 times the safe limit set by the World Health Organization.
This led to the cancellation of 745 flights and the diversion of 84 others.
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View news Source: https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/whats-on/travel-tourism/christmas-weather-alert-brits-canary-30658050
