Aemet, the Spanish meteorological agency, has forecast the return of the Calima, the Saharan sand haze, to Spain’s Costa del Sol and Malaga
According to the director of the Aemet weather centre, Jesús Riesco, “Calima” is expected to return to Malaga and the Costa del Sol on Wednesday, February 15.
The term “Calima” refers to the haze that occurs when Saharan sand or dust is suspended in the atmosphere, creating orange-coloured skies and red dust that stains pavements and balconies. This episode is expected to be of moderate to weak intensity, typical of southern Spain and not as severe as last year’s event.
The skies are expected to clear by the weekend, with the low-altitude depression over the Canary Islands easing by Saturday. Meanwhile, the easterly winds that have caused high winds and rough seas in recent days will continue this week, with waves of three to four meters and winds of 50 to 60 km/h forecasted by Aemet.
José Luis Escudero, the author of the SUR.es weather blog, agrees with the forecast and predicts a powerful anticyclone to the north of the peninsula, which will cause strong winds in the affected areas of Malaga, Almeria, Granada, the Strait, Ceuta, Melilla, and the coast and inland Cadiz.
Stormy weather ahead
The easterly wind that caused high winds and rough seas will persist throughout the week, although Wednesday and Thursday will be quieter, this brief respite will be over by Friday when the winds will pick up again.
Aemet predicts waves of three to four metres and winds of 50 to 60 km/h. José Luis Escudero agrees with the forecast and explains the cause of strong winds due to a powerful anticyclone to the north of the peninsula.
The coasts of Malaga, Almeria, Granada, the Strait, Ceuta, Melilla, and the coast and inland Cadiz will also be impacted.
