Calima , a Saharan dust event common in the Canary Islands and parts of Spain, typically lasts 3 to 5 days on average, though it varies widely.

Duration Range

Calima episodes aren't fixed; they depend on wind patterns and dust volume from the Sahara.

  • Most common: 1-3 days , often ending with rain that clears the air.
  • Extended cases: Up to a week , with haze lingering 24-48 hours after peak intensity.
  • Historical average: About 1.8 days per event, with islands seeing ~24 calima-days yearly.

Recent 2025 examples in Lanzarote peaked for 1-2 days but faded mid-week as trade winds returned.

What Influences Length?

Strong southerly winds carry fine dust particles, creating hazy, warm conditions.

  • Short bursts (hours): Light events with quick clearing.
  • Intense storms : Build over days, peaking early then tapering; 2020's was the worst in 20 years at 3 days.
  • Forecasts from University of Athens track dust loads up to 5 days ahead.

Trending Context

In late 2025, Canary Islands saw frequent intense calimas, including November alerts in Lanzarote and Tenerife—fewer but stronger than 1980s norms (483 episodes total). AEMET issued yellow warnings, disrupting flights and beaches.

"Visibility dropped significantly... worst expected to give way by Wednesday/Thursday." – Recent Lanzarote report

Health & Prep Tips

Dust irritates eyes, throat, and lungs; stay indoors during peaks.

  • Close windows; use masks outdoors.
  • Airports divert flights if visibility <3,000m.

TL;DR : Expect 1-5 days usually, peaking fast then fading—check AEMET for live updates.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.