AEMET warns about new calima episode in the Canary Islands

The Spanish State Meteorological Agency (AEMET) has issued a weather forecast for the Canary Islands, warning of adverse conditions including a new calima episode (dust in suspension from the Sahara) and snow at higher altitudes.

Cloudy Skies and Occasional Downpours

For today, the region will experience intervals of cloud cover, especially in northern areas and inland regions, with occasional showers that could be locally intense.

In Tenerife’s Mount Teide area, snowfall is expected above 2,000 meters, with snow levels potentially dropping momentarily.

AEMET has also highlighted the arrival of dust in suspension at low atmospheric levels, forming light calima (dust hazes) that could result in muddy rainfall. This phenomenon could lead to significant concentrations of dust, particularly along southern slopes of the islands.

Temperatures will remain relatively stable, with maximums reaching 20°C in Tenerife and minimums dipping to 12°C in El Hierro. Winds are expected to blow moderately from the northeast along the coasts, shifting to a stronger easterly component in mid-altitude and mountainous areas.

Gran Canaria will experience similar weather patterns, with cloudy skies and potential heavy showers in the north and interior regions during the morning. The afternoon is expected to see clearer skies, though the calima and muddy rain will persist, especially in southern areas.

Temperatures in Gran Canaria will range from a maximum of 20°C to a minimum of 15°C, while Lanzarote will experience similar conditions. Winds will be moderate and predominantly from the east.

Isolated showers, which could locally be heavy, are not ruled out in Lanzarote and Fuerteventura during the early morning of Monday, December 23rd, as well as in Gran Canaria in the early hours of the day, with a higher likelihood on northern and northeastern slopes.