Valencia is famous for its sunny skies, enjoying on average more than 300 days of sunshine a year.
But the city also experiences several natural weather phenomena that can impact daily life. Seasonal DANA storms are one example. Another is the Saharan dust events that sweep across the Iberian Peninsula, known locally as calima.
Hazy, yellow skies and “blood rain”
Calima dust storms originate in North Africa, where winds lift fine sand and dust from the Sahara into the atmosphere. While calima is most common in the Canary Islands, these dust clouds can travel across the Atlantic and Mediterranean, reaching mainland Spain and Portugal, typically during the winter months.
The dust gives the sky a hazy, reddish-yellow tint. When combined with rain, it can create a muddy residue sometimes referred to as “blood rain.” In more intense episodes, visibility may be significantly reduced.
How it affects your health
It’s important to note that the high concentration of airborne particles during a calima can affect your health, especially for those with respiratory conditions such as asthma.
Valencia’s city council (Ayuntamiento) has issued guidelines to help residents protect themselves and reduce air pollution during these events:
- Avoid intense outdoor activity, especially if you suffer from respiratory issues. Activities that require deep or heavy breathing should be limited.
- If you have respiratory problems, consider staying indoors and keeping windows closed. If you need to go outside, wearing a mask can help filter out fine particles.
- Help reduce air pollution where possible. If you need to travel by car, consider carpooling and driving at moderate speeds.
The good news is that calima events are usually temporary. In Valencia, they rarely last long. Rain often clears the dust from the air, although it may leave behind a thin layer of yellowish residue as the system passes.
Sources:
Calima Canaria: What is a calima? | Valencia Ayuntamiento calima precautions
Image courtesy of Copernicus Sentinel data 2022, Attribution, via Wikimedia Commons
