Calima in Lanzarote: what it is and what to do

What it is

A hot, dry wind arriving from the Sahara loaded with suspended dust. It pushes the temperature up several degrees at once, turns the sky milky and cuts visibility, and leaves a fine layer of sand over everything. It is a normal feature of the archipelago, not a storm.

It can happen at any time of year, but it is most common in summer. An episode usually lasts from a couple of days to a week.

• Outdoor activity becomes uncomfortable, especially anything strenuous.
• Viewpoints lose the view: during calima you cannot see La Graciosa from Mirador del Río.
• It is a real nuisance for anyone with respiratory problems, and for contact lens wearers.
• If visibility drops sharply and coincides with strong wind, flights can be affected. This does not happen in every episode.

What to do on those days

• Swap the viewpoint or hiking plan for something indoors: the volcanic tubes and the museums stay at a steady temperature and dust-free.
• Avoid hard effort outdoors and drink more water than usual: the heat comes with very dry air.
• If you wear contact lenses, make it a glasses day.
• Keep the washing indoors and the windows shut, or everything ends up covered in sand.