La Easter in the Canary Islands It has started up enveloped in a dense haze that has left whitish skies, heavy atmosphere, and reduced visibility throughout virtually the entire archipelago. suspended dustThe dust storm, carried from the Sahara, has affected travel, outdoor activities and even airport operations at times.
According to State Meteorological Agency (AEMET), this episode of Saharan dust intrusion His days are numbered.Starting this Wednesday, the haze will begin to gradually dissipate, first in the eastern islands and, throughout the day, in the rest of the Canary Islands, giving way to a somewhat cleaner environment, although with significant wind and rough seas at various points.
A widespread episode of haze over the archipelago
The current episode of haze has been generated from a sandstorm in North AfricaEspecially in areas of Algeria and the Sahara, which has propelled a dust plume more than a thousand kilometers into the eastern Atlantic. This mass of air, heavily laden with particles, has been entering through Lanzarote and Fuerteventura and it has since spread to the rest of the islands.
Satellite images have shown a compact layer of dust covering the entire archipelago, with particularly high concentrations on the mountainous islands and their southern and western slopes. In municipalities such as Agüimes (Gran Canaria) or Granadilla de Abona (southern Tenerife), levels have been reached suspended particulate values above 1.000 micrograms/m³, well above the thresholds considered acceptable for health.
Although the appearance has been striking, the technicians point out that extreme levels have not been reached recorded in historical episodes such as that of February 2020. Even so, the reduced visibility It has been situated around the 3.000 to 6.000 meters in many places, forcing extreme caution on roads and in air operations.
This dust intrusion has coincided with a rising temperatures, with peaks that have hovered around and even exceeded 26-27 degree in areas of the south of the islands. The warm weather, combined with the haze, has created a stifling feeling more typical of midsummer than the early part of the Atlantic spring.
When will the calima (Saharan dust storm) begin to subside in the Canary Islands?
AEMET has already put approximate date and time of the start of the improvement. The latest models They indicate that the Saharan dust will begin to recede this Wednesday unevenly depending on the island and altitude, with a clear trend towards cleaner air throughout the day.
En Lanzarote and FuerteventuraThe first islands to receive the dust intrusion are expected to... The haze has subsided since early morningFrom around 12:00The environment should present a much more acceptable visibility, with clearer skies although still with traces of dust at medium and high levels.
On the islands with greater relief, such as Gran Canaria and TenerifeThe process will be somewhat slower. The haze will continue to affect mainly mid-range and peak areas for much of the day, and the improvement will be more noticeable from the afternoon, when the air is expected to begin to clear thanks to the change in atmospheric circulation.
AEMET establishes as a reference that, in the archipelago as a whole, the intrusion of dust It will be considered finished around 21:00 PM on WednesdayAlthough from hours before, the concentrations will decrease and visibility will gradually improve.
Forecast by island: dust, temperatures and wind conditions
The improvement will not occur at the same rate on all islands or at all elevations. The forecast by region shows important nuances between coastal areas, midlands and summitsboth in terms of dust and wind and temperatures.
Lanzarote will have a Wednesday in general Clear with intervals of high cloudsThe haze will tend to clear during the morning, leaving a clearer atmosphere from midday onwards. Minimum temperatures will remain stable, while maximum temperatures could register a slight decrease on the western slopes. A [weather/climate] will predominate Northeast wind, light to moderate.
En FuerteventuraThe scenario will be similar: partly cloudy skies with some high cloud cover, haze clearing during the early hours of the day and mild thermal valuesMinimum temperatures will remain largely unchanged, while maximum temperatures will be slightly lower along the west coast, with a slight rise possible inland. The wind will also blow from Northeast component, light to moderate.
To Gran CanariaClear skies are expected with some intervals of high clouds in the morning. The haze It will mainly affect midlands and peaks and will gradually dissipate throughout the afternoon. Minimum temperatures will tend towards a slight to moderate rise inlandwhile the highs will remain mostly unchanged or with a slight increase. On the coast, the wind will be moderate northeastturning eastward during the middle of the day and returning to the northeast at the end of the day; in high areas the wind will predominate moderate southeast with some strong intervals in exposed points of the southwest.
En Tenerife The forecast calls for mostly clear skies with some mid-level clouds. Haze will be concentrated in highlands and midlandsThe heat will be particularly intense during the first half of the day, easing in the afternoon. Minimum temperatures will rise slightly to moderately, especially in the mid-altitude areas of the north and west, while maximum temperatures will experience a slight riseWind will blow along the coasts moderate from the east or northeastand in the midlands and peaks it will dominate moderate southeast, rolling northeast At the end of the day, with periods of heavy rain on the southeast slope and in areas of the north between Tegueste and Santa Úrsula, where storms cannot be ruled out. very strong gusts.
En La GomeraThe day will be characterized by mostly clear skies with some intervals of mid-level clouds. Haze will mainly affect the mid-altitude areas and summits, easing during the afternoon. slight rise Minimum temperatures will be lower, more noticeably in the mid-altitude areas facing south and west, while maximum temperatures will barely change or rise slightly. Winds will be strong along the coasts. sluggish with a predominance of northeasterly winds, and in high areas it will dominate moderate southeastturning northeast at the end of the day.
The Island La Palma The skies will be mostly clear with some mid- and high-level cloud cover. The haze will mainly affect the midlands and peaks, but It will gradually disappear during the afternoonTemperatures will tend to rise slightly, with a more pronounced increase in the mid-altitude areas of the western slopes, where minimum temperatures could rise moderately. On the coast, the wind will be moderate northeast with a predominance of easterly winds during the central hours; in the midlands and summits, Moderate southeasterly winds will predominateThe wind will shift to the northeast by the end of the day. Strong winds are expected along the southeast and northwest coasts, as well as in areas like El Paso and Tazacorte, where there is a slight chance of some very strong gusts.
En El HierroThe haze will be among the last to clear, with forecasts of remission mainly during the nightThe sky will feature intervals of mid- and high-level clouds, and temperatures will rise slightly, more noticeably in inland areas where the increase could be moderate. On the coast, it is expected Moderate to strong northeast winds, while in the midlands and summits it will dominate strong southeastwith very intense gusts in areas such as El Golfo and El Pinar.
Warnings, air quality and health effects
The episode has forced us to maintain official notices regarding suspended dust throughout the archipelago. AEMET has activated the yellow notice in the islands due to the high presence of particles in the air, both on the surface and at height, especially on southern slopes and on the islands most exposed to the Saharan flow.
Measurements indicate that in many places there have been exceeding 50 micrograms per cubic meter of particles, with a high probability of exceeding the 100 ميكروغرام in areas of El Hierro and with significant values in sectors of Tenerife and Gran Canaria. In some areas of the south of the archipelago, moreover, the concentrations have far exceeded the levels considered acceptable. harmful to health.
Exposure to these concentrations of dust can cause mild symptomssuch as nose and throat irritation, itchy eyes, or a dry cough, but also trigger more serious episodes in people with pre-existing conditions. Among the most worrying effects are the onset of asthma attacks and the worsening of the clinical condition of patients with chronic respiratory or cardiac diseases and an increase in the incidence of upper and lower respiratory tract infections.
Health services remind us that, during and after such a marked episode of haze, it is common to register a increase in emergency room visits in hospitals and health centers. This increase may continue even for several days afterwards once the dust has started to settle, as the most vulnerable people may notice the effects somewhat later.
Among the groups considered more sensitive These types of Saharan dust intrusions are found in children and the elderlyas well as those who suffer asthma, chronic bronchitis, obstructive pulmonary disease, or other respiratory conditionsAlso included are people with heart problems, pregnant women, those who work outdoors for long hours, and regular smokers, starting from a already compromised lung function.
Recommendations from authorities regarding airborne dust
The General Directorate of Public Health and the archipelago's emergency services insist on a series of self-protection measures While the haze remains, even if it is waning, the goal is to minimize potential respiratory and cardiovascular complications.
First, it is advised limit outdoor physical activitiesEspecially those that involve intense effort, such as running, playing high-intensity sports, or doing heavy outdoor work. Where possible, it is recommended stay indoors during peak dust hours, maintaining windows and doors closed to prevent the entry of particles.
For cleaning homes and workplaces, it is preferable to use wet cloths Instead of sweeping dry, as this prevents the dust that has settled on surfaces from becoming airborne again. adequate hydration This is also a key aspect: it is advisable to drink water frequently and stay in slightly humid environments, especially if symptoms of respiratory irritation are noticed.
The people who already follow chronic medical treatmentsThose using inhalers or medications for respiratory and cardiac conditions, in particular, should continue their usual regimen and always carry rescue medication on hand in case it is needed. In any case sudden worsening —difficulty breathing, chest pain, feeling of suffocation, or worsening cough—, it is indicated to contact emergency services through the 1-1-2 or go to the nearest health center.
Authorities also recommend staying alert to the air quality bulletins The official notices have already been issued. The Government of the Canary Islands has a Air Quality Monitoring and Control Network where you can check the air quality index (AQI) by area, information that is especially useful for people who are part of risk groups.
Wind and sea: what comes after the retreat of Saharan dust
The haze won't disappear on its own. The change in atmospheric patterns that will help clear the air will bring with it a increased wind in different areas of the archipelago and a worsening of the maritime situationTherefore, authorities urge people not to let their guard down even though the sky is starting to look clearer.
On the surface, the presence of trade trades and easterly and northeasterly windsof generally weak to moderate intensity, but with strong intervals in midlands and summits of the islands with higher elevations. In exposed areas of Tenerife, La Palma, and El Hierro, gusts could be locally very strong, especially in areas such as The Gulf, El Pinar, El Paso or Tazacorte, where the terrain channels the airflow.
In the maritime sector, the forecast points to northeast or east winds of force 4 to 5with possible Force 6 surges in the inter-island channels. The sea will be between rough seas and heavy seas, with a north or northeast swell that can generate waves of 2 to 3 meters, especially on the more open coasts of the north and northeast of the archipelago and on the western coast of Lanzarote, Fuerteventura and La Graciosa.
These conditions necessitate extreme caution for both the recreational and professional navigation as well as for swimming on beaches exposed to waves. It is recommended to pay attention to the flags and warnings from the lifeguard services, avoid going into the sea in areas with strong surf, and not get too close to cliffs or seafront promenades where the waves can break with force.
After several days of hazy conditions, the combination of a change in wind direction and the influx of cleaner air from the Atlantic will allow the sky to gradually recover its clarity. usual blue color, although with a still dynamic atmosphere and with occasional episodes of strong wind.
With the calima (Saharan dust haze) in full retreat since Wednesday, the Canary Islands face the second part of Holy Week with improved visibility and mild temperaturesTemperatures reached around 22 degrees Celsius in the capital cities and were slightly higher in parts of the south and the western islands. Even so, the episode serves as a reminder that Saharan dust not only colors the sky but also influences the... health, mobility, the state of the sea and even sectors such as fishing and agriculture, areas in which these particles act as a natural fertilizer when conditions are benign.
