A new study from the Paul Scherrer Institute in Switzerland and Spain's IDAEA-CSIC warns that the Canary Islands are now struck by a 'dangerous' weather phenomenon—calima, or Saharan dust clouds—on at least 146 days each year, nearly five months. The events are becoming more frequent across southern Europe, with airborne desert dust surging by 10% to 25% over the past decade, despite EU regulations reducing local pollution.
Calima Now Affects 40% of the Year in the Canary Islands
According to the data, the Canary Islands bear the brunt of the crisis, with calima now blighting the islands on 40% of all days each year. The mainland hasn't escaped either: Saharan dust affects southern mainland Spain 35% of the year, and the northeast around 25% to 30% of the time. Researchers blame climate change for the dramatic shift, as global warming expands African desert regions and alters atmospheric circulation, acting like a giant vacuum that sucks dust-laden air into Europe.
Unprecedented 'Super Calima' Events Recorded
Air quality experts revealed that between 2020 and 2022, the region suffered unprecedented 'super calima' events—the worst since records began. Traditional dust storms usually produce PM10 particle concentrations of 200 to 400 micrograms per cubic metre. However, recent extreme episodes saw concentrations skyrocket to between 600 and 1,840 micrograms per cubic metre, with the most toxic reading recorded in Gran Canaria.
Health Risks for Tourists and Residents
Medical experts are sounding the alarm over severe health risks. High concentrations of Saharan dust have been directly linked to an uptick in hospital admissions and a spike in deaths from heart attacks and respiratory illnesses. Research from the Hospital Universitario de Canarias found that heart failure patients had significantly worse medical outcomes if exposed to the dust prior to admission.
Health chiefs strongly advise anyone with asthma, COPD, or heart conditions to rigorously check weather forecasts issued by Spain's meteorological agency, AEMET, before heading outdoors. Exposure to the toxic dust can cause severe coughing, breathing difficulties, chest discomfort, and leave victims highly susceptible to respiratory infections.
