Calima strikes again in the Canary Islands
A Saharan dust storm and an out unseasonal heatwave are affecting the Canary Islands in the second decade of December. The Spanish Meteorological Agency (AEMET) issued a pre-alert for the Canary Islands, as the "calima" could affect air quality in the archipelago.
This image, acquired by one of the Copernicus Sentinel-3 satellites on 12 December, shows a plume of Saharan dust carried by the strong winds blowing over the Atlantic Ocean and reaching the Canary Islands.
Winds can transport particles over long distances, affecting air quality, visibility, and nearby weather patterns. To support global environmental management and public health efforts, the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service provides valuable insights into the composition of the atmosphere, along with global air quality monitoring and forecasting.
