Calima is back over Lanzarote today, Thursday 16 July, bringing hazy skies and a lift in temperatures that will push the south-east of the island into the low thirties. According to the latest forecast from AEMET, the Spanish state weather agency, the Saharan dust is sitting at higher levels of the atmosphere this time rather than down at ground level, which means milky skies and added warmth rather than the thick, choking dust of the heavier episodes. It’s a warm, hazy day rather than a punishing one, but the strengthening afternoon wind is worth planning around.
Here’s what today actually looks like across the island, and the sensible steps to take while the heat and haze hang around.
Low Thirties in the South-East of The Island
Expect mostly sunny skies today, with a little cloud drifting over the north of the island early in the morning and again in the evening. Temperatures hold steady or nudge up slightly on yesterday, with the south-east the warm spot at around 30 to 32°C. The interior will feel hotter still through the middle of the day, away from the moderating effect of the coast, while the resort seafronts stay more comfortable thanks to the sea breeze.
This is the kind of day where where you are on the island makes a real difference. The sheltered south-coast resorts of Playa Blanca and Puerto del Carmen will feel pleasant, while the inland villages and the exposed higher ground bake in the fuller heat. If you’re planning to be outside for any length of time, the morning is the window to use before the temperature and the wind both build.
Watch for the Afternoon Wind
The bigger factor to plan around today is the wind rather than the heat. Moderate north-easterly winds are forecast to strengthen inland through the afternoon, with the possibility of locally very strong gusts. The interior and the exposed north and west of the island will feel genuinely blustery later on, Famara chief among them, while the south-coast resorts stay calmer in the lee of the hills.
Anyone heading out on an exposed walk, up to a mirador, or onto the northern beaches should expect a stiff breeze by mid-afternoon. It’s the sort of wind that turns a relaxed beach day at Famara into a battle with flying sand, so the sheltered south is the better bet if you want a still afternoon on a lounger.
What the Calima Actually Means
Because the dust is sitting higher in the atmosphere rather than at ground level today, this is a milder calima than some. The main effect is a softening of the sky, with the usual deep blue turning a paler, milkier shade and the sun losing some of its sharpness behind the haze. Visibility over the higher ground can drop, and the trapped dust tends to make the air feel warmer than the temperature alone would suggest.
Even a light, high-level calima like this one is worth noting if you have asthma or another respiratory condition, as air quality can still dip when the dust is around. The sensible approach is the usual one: keep an eye on how you feel, ease off on hard outdoor exertion if the haze thickens, and keep any regular medication to hand. For everyone else, it’s simply a hazy, warm day rather than anything to be concerned about.
Conditions at Sea
Out on the water, north-easterly winds of Force 4 to 5 will stir up slight to moderate seas around the island, easing to lighter and more variable conditions along the sheltered south-western coast. A one-metre north-westerly swell is also running. It’s nothing dramatic, but anyone heading out on a boat trip, a ferry crossing to La Graciosa or a water-sports session should be ready for a bit of movement, particularly off the more exposed north and east coasts. As always on a breezier day, it’s worth a quick check with the operator before you set off.
Staying Comfortable in the Heat and Haze
The precautions for a hot, hazy day are the familiar ones. Drink water steadily through the day rather than waiting until you’re thirsty, and go easy on the alcohol during the hottest hours, since it dehydrates you faster than it feels like it does. Save any strenuous walking or activity for the early morning or the evening rather than the middle of the day, and take shade during the fiercest hours between roughly eleven and four.
Sun protection matters as much as ever, and arguably more, because the haze makes the sun look weaker than it is while the UV still comes through. Factor 30 or higher, a hat and sunglasses are the order of the day. Take extra care with young children, older visitors and pets, who all feel the heat more keenly, and remember that hot ground can burn a dog’s paws. Motorists should be aware that a thicker patch of calima can cut visibility, so ease off the pace if the dust builds.
How Long does a Lanzarote Calima last?
Calima episodes like this one are a normal part of the Lanzarote summer, arriving whenever the wind swings round to draw hot, dusty air off the Sahara, and clearing again as soon as the trade winds reassert themselves and sweep the sky clean. They vary from a barely noticeable day of light haze to a longer, heavier spell, and this one sits at the gentler end. Conditions are worth keeping an eye on over the next day or two, particularly if you have outdoor plans.
For the latest forecasts and any warnings, it’s always worth checking AEMET directly before heading out. Otherwise, treat today as what it is: a warm, hazy, breezy summer’s day on the island, and one that will pass soon enough.
