Residents of the UK made heavy weather of the fact that dust from the Sahara was recently blown across parts of the country, leaving piles of red sand on cars and buildings. But on Lanzarote this sort of calima is commonplace – an atmospheric phenomenon that also helps to substantially raise temperatures too. And right now the island is basking in levels that are hitting the high 20 degrees Celsius as a calima brings in much welcome hotter weather.
When is the best time of year to visit Lanzarote? It’s a question that we’re regularly asked by tourists planning to rent one of our high quality holiday villas here in Playa Blanca. And the answer is always tricky, as in reality Lanzarote can be amazing all year round, especially when a calima lends a helping hand as is the case currently.
What is a calima? Essentially a calima is created by high winds in the Sahara which in turn stirs up a dust storm that is then transported in a south easterly duration torwards Lanzarote and the other six Canary Islands. Although as we saw recently it can also occasionally be blown in other directions, such as towards the UK. The sand particles in the air then basically reduce visibility, creating a haze on the horizon which can also sometimes be visible as distinct brown line, whilst also increasing temperatures way above the usual seasonal norms.
It’s impossible to predict just how often and when calimas take place – on Lanzarote they have been a frequent occurrence in recent years. And whilst they are most welcome during the winter months as they provide hotter weather for visitors they can raise temperatures to seriously high levels during the summer – with one calima during August 2010 resulting in temperatures on Lanzarote that were higher than in Death Valley, Nevada, one of the world’s warmest hot spots.
Calima’s aside however it is possible to detect distinct weather patterns on Lanzarote that can influence the time of year when people choose to visit. For example, the Trade Winds usually blow across the island from April through to August, and whilst this is by no means continuous it does mean that high winds are far more likely during his period of time.
These winds can reduce the pleasure of taking a break on the island and many locals if pushed will usually plump for the autumn months as their favourite time of year. As by September the winds have dropped whilst summer visitor numbers have thinned out a little, creating the ideal conditions for holidaymakers.
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