British tourists in Tenerife have been left disappointed after an unexpected sandstorm, known locally as a 'calima', swept across the Canary Islands. The phenomenon, which brings hot, dust-laden winds from the Sahara, turned the sky an eerie orange and left many holidaymakers shocked.
One British tourist, Danni McNamara, shared her experience on TikTok after arriving in Tenerife on March 31. Her video showed a thick orange mist outside her balcony door, far from the sunny skies she had anticipated. 'When the calima hits Tenerife,' she wrote, adding that while the weather was 'still very warm,' it was a 'shame'.
Other tourists also posted videos of the sandstorm, with some claiming it 'ruined' their holidays. Philip Pundrich said the weather 'ruined the whole day' in his video, prompting comments from others who noted the need for masks due to the sand. One user commented, 'Rubbish weather. I sold my apartment in the last two years. Weather was rubbish.'
The calima, a hot, dust-laden wind from the south or southeast, is common in the Canary Islands during winter. This particular event was reported to be more extreme than usual, with the dust cloud estimated to be around 1,300 km wide. Authorities have warned residents and tourists to take health precautions, as the fine sand can cause respiratory issues.
Despite the disruption, some tourists managed to enjoy their time away, noting that the temperatures remained warm. However, the unexpected weather served as a reminder that even popular holiday destinations can be affected by natural phenomena beyond anyone's control.
