Calima Could Return Later This Week to the Costa Tropical
Calima could return later this week to the Costa Tropical, bringing Saharan dust, hazy skies and rising temperatures across Granada Province.
Forecasters are warning that calima could return later this week to parts of southern Spain, with hazy skies and rising temperatures expected across the Costa Tropical. While the episode is not yet classified as severe, meteorological models indicate that Saharan dust may begin moving into eastern Andalusia within the next few days.
The shift follows a period of stable, clear weather along the coast, where daytime temperatures have hovered around 19–21°C in towns such as Almuñécar and Motril. If current projections hold, a change in wind direction midweek will draw warm air northwards from Africa, carrying suspended dust particles across the Mediterranean.
What Is Expected This Time?
According to regional forecasts for Andalusia, the most noticeable impact will likely be reduced visibility and a milky or orange tint to the sky. Temperatures could climb several degrees above seasonal averages, particularly inland in Granada Province, where thermometers may approach 24°C by Thursday afternoon.
For coastal municipalities including Salobreña and La Herradura, the combination of warmer air and light winds may create stagnant conditions. Air quality typically declines during calima events, especially for people with respiratory sensitivities. In previous episodes recorded in 2023 and 2024, particulate matter levels briefly exceeded recommended limits across parts of the province.
While it remains uncertain how dense this dust intrusion will be, meteorologists note that late February is not unusual for such conditions. Similar events have occurred in recent years during transitional periods between winter and spring.
Impact on Daily Life Along the Coast
If calima does return later this week, residents may notice a fine layer of reddish dust settling on vehicles, terraces and outdoor furniture. Car washes often report increased demand following these episodes. Outdoor activities, particularly hiking in exposed areas above Almuñécar or cycling routes near Playa Granada, can feel more strenuous when air quality drops.
Tourism businesses on the Costa Tropical are also monitoring the situation. Clear skies and sea views are a central part of the region’s appeal, especially as early spring visitors begin to arrive. Although short-lived calima events rarely disrupt travel, persistent haze can affect visibility along the coastline and in the Sierra Nevada foothills.
Farmers across Granada Province are paying attention for another reason. Subtropical crops such as avocados and mangos are sensitive to sudden temperature changes. While warmer air alone is not typically harmful, prolonged dry and dusty conditions can stress young plants if accompanied by strong winds.
A Short Episode or Prolonged Haze?
At this stage, models suggest the dust plume would peak over a 24–48 hour window before Atlantic air currents restore clearer conditions. However, weather patterns remain dynamic, and updated forecasts later in the week will clarify the duration and intensity.
For now, the message from local authorities is one of awareness rather than alarm. Residents are advised to follow official weather updates and limit strenuous outdoor activity if air quality visibly deteriorates.
The Costa Tropical is no stranger to Saharan dust. Yet each event serves as a reminder of how closely this stretch of Granada’s coastline is connected to broader Mediterranean weather systems. Whether brief or more persistent, if calima does return later this week, it will once again tint the horizon and reshape the coastal landscape — if only for a few days.
Ahmedabad