Calima – When the Sahara Swallows the Canary Islands
What is the Calima?
You feel it before you see it: the air grows heavier, the horizon dissolves into a pale orange-brown, and the wind carries a fine, all-pervading dust with it – welcome to the Calima. This distinctive weather phenomenon on the Canary Islands has its origins deep in the African Sahara. A vast sandstorm that sweeps across the Atlantic and within the shortest time turns the climate on islands such as Fuerteventura, Lanzarote or Gran Canaria completely on its head.
How Long Does a Calima Last?
The Calima sandstorm is no fleeting thunderstorm that quickly passes. The weather situation can last for several days and transforms the otherwise pleasant island climate into a dusty, hot and extremely dry atmosphere. Visibility can drop dramatically, temperatures rise unusually high – and the air you breathe is anything but ordinary sea air.
As a rule, television and radio give advance warning of the Sahara sandstorm in good time. But the Calima can also arrive suddenly – anyone travelling around Fuerteventura should always keep it in mind.
Safety Advice During a Calima: What You Need to Know
Stay Indoors – as Much as Possible
When the Calima is raging, the interior of your accommodation is the safest place to be. You should keep windows and doors closed to keep the fine desert dust outside. Those who suffer from chronic respiratory conditions such as asthma or COPD would do well to stay consistently indoors and keep essential medication within easy reach.
Drink Plenty – the Body Dehydrates Quickly
The dry desert air imperceptibly draws moisture from the body. Drinking enough fluids – water being best – is not a recommendation during a Calima but a genuine necessity. Dehydration sets in faster than you might think.
No Fire – an Underestimated Danger
In the dry, dust-laden air of the Calima, open fire becomes a serious risk. Lighting open fires must be strictly avoided during this weather situation. Responsible handling of fire of any kind goes without saying.
Pause Sport and Physical Activity
Jogging, cycling, hiking – all of this should be consistently avoided during an active Calima. The fine dust particles in the air put a considerable strain on the lungs and can have serious health consequences.
Driving by Car: Lights On, Speed Down
Anyone who must drive should adjust their speed to the reduced visibility conditions and switch on their headlights. Defensive driving in Calima conditions is not a precaution – it is an obligation.
In Case of Severe Symptoms: Call the Emergency Services
Should unexplained or severe health symptoms occur, do not hesitate and call the local emergency services. Better once too many than once too few.
Experiencing Fuerteventura Respectfully: Nature Conservation and Hiking Tips
Beyond the Calima, Fuerteventura offers a landscape that is second to none: expansive dunes, rugged volcanic formations, an almost surreal silence in the nature reserves. To preserve this unique natural landscape of Fuerteventura, one thing above all is needed – respect.
Nature Reserves: Take the Rules Seriously
Particularly within the nature reserves of the Canary Islands, strict ecological regulations apply. Those who violate them risk substantial fines. Nature here is fragile, and every visitor bears a share of the responsibility.
Hiking Trails: Do Not Leave Marked Routes
Those exploring the island on foot should stick to the signposted hiking routes and check the current state of the paths in advance at the local information centres. This is especially important after weather phenomena such as the Calima, which can alter paths and points of orientation.
Travelling Alone? Better Not
Whether a hike, cycling trip or drive by car – heading into remote areas alone is generally not advisable. A companion can make all the difference in an emergency.
Fuerteventura is an island of extremes – and the Calima is one of its most impressive. Those who know it, approach it with respect and take the right precautions can experience it for what it ultimately is: a natural spectacle of archaic force.
