Practical
Calima: what to do when the Sahara pays a visit.
Don’t panic, you haven’t landed on Mars. Here’s what’s happening and why it might turn into one of the laziest, loveliest days of your holiday.
Knock knock…
One morning you'll open the terrace door and something will be wrong. The sky is beige. The sea has gone soft at the edges. The sun is up there somewhere, doing its best. Congratulations: the Sahara has dropped by to say hello.
It happens a few times a year and usually passes within a few days. Here's what's going on, and how to make the most of it.
So what is it?
Calima is a haze of fine dust from the Sahara, carried across from the African coast about 200 kilometres to the east. When the wind turns and blows from the south or east instead of the usual north-easterly trade winds, it carries the desert across the sea and drops it on the islands. The air turns warm and still, visibility drops, and everything takes on a sepia filter you didn't ask for.
It's most common in winter, though it can turn up at any time of year. An episode usually lasts a few days, strongest at the start, then fading as the trade winds return.
What it's like
Warmer than usual. The desert air pushes temperatures up, sometimes noticeably.
Hazy. The mountains disappear, and on strong days you can lose sight of the far side of the bay.
Dusty. A fine layer settles on everything: the terrace table, the cushions, every car on the street.
Spectacular sunsets. The dust turns the sun into a glowing orange disc as it sinks. It's the one upside nobody complains about.
Our survival guide
Close the doors and windows. Keep the dust outside where it belongs. The bedroom air conditioning keeps the room cool without letting the haze in.
Bring the cushions in. Unless you'd like them in a new shade of desert.
Take it easy outdoors. This isn't the day for a long walk up the hill or a hike to Roque Nublo. The views would be gone anyway. Anyone with asthma or breathing problems should stay indoors as much as possible during a strong calima.
Drink plenty of water. The air is drier and warmer than you're used to.
Still go for a swim. The sea doesn't mind the dust, and a dip followed by a lazy afternoon is a perfectly good calima plan.
Cook something nice. A calima day is the perfect excuse for a long lunch in the kitchen, a film on the smart TV and an afternoon nap without the guilt.
Wait for the sunset. If the haze isn't too thick, step out on the terrace at the end of the day. Calima sunsets are some of the most dramatic of the year.
Good to know
On strong days, the regional government issues air-quality alerts. Follow their advice, especially with children or if you have a health condition.
In rare, very strong episodes, flights to and from the islands can be delayed. If you're travelling home, check with your airline.
When it's over, a damp cloth is all the terrace needs. Message me if you'd like a hand.
The verdict
Calima is the island's way of telling you to slow down. Close the doors, put the kettle on, and wait for the trade winds. In a couple of days the sky will be blue again, the mountains will be back, and you'll have a sunset photo nobody at home will believe.
Knock knock…
One morning you'll open the terrace door and something will be wrong. The sky is beige. The sea has gone soft at the edges. The sun is up there somewhere, doing its best. Congratulations: the Sahara has dropped by to say hello.
It happens a few times a year and usually passes within a few days. Here's what's going on, and how to make the most of it.
So what is it?
Calima is a haze of fine dust from the Sahara, carried across from the African coast about 200 kilometres to the east. When the wind turns and blows from the south or east instead of the usual north-easterly trade winds, it carries the desert across the sea and drops it on the islands. The air turns warm and still, visibility drops, and everything takes on a sepia filter you didn't ask for.
It's most common in winter, though it can turn up at any time of year. An episode usually lasts a few days, strongest at the start, then fading as the trade winds return.
What it's like
Warmer than usual. The desert air pushes temperatures up, sometimes noticeably.
Hazy. The mountains disappear, and on strong days you can lose sight of the far side of the bay.
Dusty. A fine layer settles on everything: the terrace table, the cushions, every car on the street.
Spectacular sunsets. The dust turns the sun into a glowing orange disc as it sinks. It's the one upside nobody complains about.
Our survival guide
Close the doors and windows. Keep the dust outside where it belongs. The bedroom air conditioning keeps the room cool without letting the haze in.
Bring the cushions in. Unless you'd like them in a new shade of desert.
Take it easy outdoors. This isn't the day for a long walk up the hill or a hike to Roque Nublo. The views would be gone anyway. Anyone with asthma or breathing problems should stay indoors as much as possible during a strong calima.
Drink plenty of water. The air is drier and warmer than you're used to.
Still go for a swim. The sea doesn't mind the dust, and a dip followed by a lazy afternoon is a perfectly good calima plan.
Cook something nice. A calima day is the perfect excuse for a long lunch in the kitchen, a film on the smart TV and an afternoon nap without the guilt.
Wait for the sunset. If the haze isn't too thick, step out on the terrace at the end of the day. Calima sunsets are some of the most dramatic of the year.
Good to know
On strong days, the regional government issues air-quality alerts. Follow their advice, especially with children or if you have a health condition.
In rare, very strong episodes, flights to and from the islands can be delayed. If you're travelling home, check with your airline.
When it's over, a damp cloth is all the terrace needs. Message me if you'd like a hand.
The verdict
Calima is the island's way of telling you to slow down. Close the doors, put the kettle on, and wait for the trade winds. In a couple of days the sky will be blue again, the mountains will be back, and you'll have a sunset photo nobody at home will believe.
Knock knock…
One morning you'll open the terrace door and something will be wrong. The sky is beige. The sea has gone soft at the edges. The sun is up there somewhere, doing its best. Congratulations: the Sahara has dropped by to say hello.
It happens a few times a year and usually passes within a few days. Here's what's going on, and how to make the most of it.
So what is it?
Calima is a haze of fine dust from the Sahara, carried across from the African coast about 200 kilometres to the east. When the wind turns and blows from the south or east instead of the usual north-easterly trade winds, it carries the desert across the sea and drops it on the islands. The air turns warm and still, visibility drops, and everything takes on a sepia filter you didn't ask for.
It's most common in winter, though it can turn up at any time of year. An episode usually lasts a few days, strongest at the start, then fading as the trade winds return.
What it's like
Warmer than usual. The desert air pushes temperatures up, sometimes noticeably.
Hazy. The mountains disappear, and on strong days you can lose sight of the far side of the bay.
Dusty. A fine layer settles on everything: the terrace table, the cushions, every car on the street.
Spectacular sunsets. The dust turns the sun into a glowing orange disc as it sinks. It's the one upside nobody complains about.
Our survival guide
Close the doors and windows. Keep the dust outside where it belongs. The bedroom air conditioning keeps the room cool without letting the haze in.
Bring the cushions in. Unless you'd like them in a new shade of desert.
Take it easy outdoors. This isn't the day for a long walk up the hill or a hike to Roque Nublo. The views would be gone anyway. Anyone with asthma or breathing problems should stay indoors as much as possible during a strong calima.
Drink plenty of water. The air is drier and warmer than you're used to.
Still go for a swim. The sea doesn't mind the dust, and a dip followed by a lazy afternoon is a perfectly good calima plan.
Cook something nice. A calima day is the perfect excuse for a long lunch in the kitchen, a film on the smart TV and an afternoon nap without the guilt.
Wait for the sunset. If the haze isn't too thick, step out on the terrace at the end of the day. Calima sunsets are some of the most dramatic of the year.
Good to know
On strong days, the regional government issues air-quality alerts. Follow their advice, especially with children or if you have a health condition.
In rare, very strong episodes, flights to and from the islands can be delayed. If you're travelling home, check with your airline.
When it's over, a damp cloth is all the terrace needs. Message me if you'd like a hand.
The verdict
Calima is the island's way of telling you to slow down. Close the doors, put the kettle on, and wait for the trade winds. In a couple of days the sky will be blue again, the mountains will be back, and you'll have a sunset photo nobody at home will believe.
