The arrival of a new episode of calima in the Canary Islands has activated meteorological alerts in the face of a scenario marked by suspended dust, reduced visibility, and a notable deterioration in air quality. The situation, which is already perceived on several islands, anticipates complicated hours, especially in the most exposed areas of the archipelago.
According to the State Meteorological Agency (Aemet), the intrusion of air from the Sahara desert fully affects Gran Canaria, where significant concentrations of suspended particles are expected both at surface level and at altitude. This phenomenon began to spread from the eastern islands and has led to the activation of a yellow warning throughout the territory, with visibility expected to be reduced to 3,000 meters in certain areas.
The dust mass is already covering an important part of the islands. The highest concentrations are expected between 12 and 15 for the eastern islands and between 15 and 18 for the western ones. pic.twitter.com/IIdjG6AWUV
— AEMET Canarias (@AEMET_Canarias) March 31, 2026
A haze that covers the entire archipelago
The advance of this mass of Saharan dust has progressively covered the islands since the beginning of the week. In Gran Canaria, the haze intensifies especially during the central hours of the day, when the highest concentrations of particles are reached. This phenomenon is not limited to specific areas, but impacts from the coast to the peaks, affecting both residents and tourists.
Aemet's estimates indicate high concentrations of particles in the air, with probabilities of exceeding levels considered harmful to health. In some parts of the archipelago, the presence of dust could even exceed 100 micrograms per cubic meter, which aggravates the effects on visibility and can generate respiratory discomfort, especially in people with pre-existing conditions and in areas of southern Gran Canaria.
🏜 The arrival of a large amount of suspended dust will cause a significant episode of haze in the Canary Islands.
— AEMET (@AEMET_Esp) March 30, 2026
➡️ It will affect the entire archipelago, from the coast to the peaks, until Wednesday included.
➡️ The haze reduces visibility and worsens air quality. pic.twitter.com/oOJD3PhQ8D
Warnings and duration of the phenomenon
The haze warning will remain active throughout the day, with differences depending on the island. While in Lanzarote and Fuerteventura it is expected to end at noon on Wednesday, in Gran Canaria and the rest of the archipelago it will extend until night, prolonging the effects of suspended dust.
Aemet recommends avoiding outdoor activities in the most affected areas and taking extreme health precautions, especially among children, the elderly, and those suffering from respiratory illnesses. In addition, it is advised to reduce driving on roads with limited visibility and protect eyes and respiratory tracts when moving outdoors.