Calima, the Saharan dust that turns Malaga’s skies orange
Given the city’s proximity to North Africa and the Strait of Gibraltar, the people of Malaga are no strangers to weird and wonderful weather phenomena.
One, which is quite common year-round, is calima.
This suspension of Saharan sand dust in the skies is a natural phenomenon. It casts a hazy hue over the province and, depending on its severity, can bring a whole host of consequences.
What is calima?
Calima is a weather phenomenon caused by fine dust and sand particles from the Sahara Desert being carried through the atmosphere by hot, dry winds such as the sirocco or khamsin.
It commonly affects the Canary Islands, southern Spain and other parts of the Mediterranean, creating hazy skies, reduced visibility and poor air quality.
During intense episodes, the air can appear orange or yellow due to the high concentration of suspended dust particles.
When does calima normally happen?
Calima can affect southern Spain and the Canary Islands throughout the year. However, it is most frequently observed in two periods: late winter to early spring and summer.
The phenomenon is caused by large-scale atmospheric circulation patterns. These include pressure systems over North Africa and the Atlantic that generate easterly or southeasterly winds capable of lifting and carrying desert dust over long distances.
In summer, the Saharan Air Layer can enhance the transport of dust at higher altitudes, while in winter and early spring, trade wind patterns more commonly drive lower-level dust movement toward the Canary Islands and southern Iberia.
Is calima dangerous?
While calima is a natural occurrence, it can have various impacts on the affected areas.
These can include:
- respiratory problems for individuals sensitive to dust
- reduced air quality
- disruption to transportation and daily activities.
Most often, though, the consequences are less severe. Typically, it results in sand being deposited on cars, windows, balconies, terraces and any washing left on the line.
There is one benefit, however. Amid the urban upheaval caused by the calima, nature seems to thrive, with the Saharan dust fertilising the soil and enriching it with essential nutrients.
The 2022 calima episode
However, recent memories evoke a different response when the word ‘calima’ is uttered – a reaction tinged with unease and apprehension. The reason? An event etched in the collective memory, in which thousands of tonnes of Saharan dust painted the streets and building facades, leaving an indelible mark on Malaga’s landscape.
The extraordinary event, spanning 14 to 24 March 2022, resulted from an unfortunate combination of meteorological factors.
A convergence of anticyclonic regions, coupled with depressions over the British Isles and the Gulf of Cadiz, set the stage for Storm Celia and intense southerly winds over the Sahara. This, in turn, propelled a massive cloud of dust towards the Iberian Peninsula, transforming Malaga’s skies into a Martian landscape.
When it rained, this resulted in a deluge of mud and dust caking everything it came in contact with on the ground.
The cleanup was monumental, and the legacy of the 2022 calima can still be seen on the façades of some buildings even now.
Episodes of this scale, however, are extremely rare.
The Malaga Guru team comprises individuals of diverse ages and backgrounds who share a common bond – a deep affection for the city of Malaga, its rich culture and its warm-hearted inhabitants!