Canary Islands on pre-alert for dust storm

The Government of the Canary Islands activates an alert due to the entry of suspended dust across all islands, with particular attention to mid-altitudes and peaks.

Canarias en prealerta por calima

Gobierno de Canarias · 2026-10-26

The Government of the Canary Islands has declared a pre-alert situation for calima across all islands starting at 12:30 PM this Monday, October 26, due to the anticipated arrival of suspended dust.

The Directorate General of Emergencies has activated the Specific Emergency Plan of the Canary Islands for Risks of Adverse Meteorological Phenomena (PEFMA), based on information from the State Meteorological Agency and other available sources. The dust storm will primarily affect mid-altitudes and southern-facing peaks on the mountainous islands, where concentrations of 100 µg/m³ are expected.
On Fuerteventura and Lanzarote, the calima will remain at higher altitudes with minimal surface impact. Currently, a significant deterioration in air quality is being registered at monitoring stations in Tenerife, Gran Canaria, and some in La Palma.
From midday Tuesday, it cannot be ruled out that the calima may intensify at lower altitudes across all islands. The peak intensity of the episode is forecast for Wednesday, with widespread concentrations of suspended particulate matter potentially exceeding 100 µg/m³.
This phenomenon may cause or aggravate health problems for individuals with chronic and/or respiratory conditions. The evolution of the episode and air quality readings will continue to be monitored for any necessary updates.