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Holidaymakers heading to the Canary Islands this week are being urged to plan for disruptive late-summer conditions, as a calima dust episode and unusually high temperatures trigger regional pre-alerts that can affect air quality, visibility, outdoor activities, and transport.
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What is happening this week and where the risk is highest
Publicly available emergency bulletins show the Canary Islands regional government has declared a calima pre-alert across all islands starting at 00:00 on Monday, September 14, 2026. The notice describes widespread suspended Saharan dust, with forecasts pointing to the highest concentrations at low elevations in Lanzarote and Fuerteventura and degraded air quality elsewhere depending on local terrain and winds.
Separate local updates and weather coverage indicate the dust haze is expected to linger through midweek even as temperatures begin to ease in some areas. Published coverage citing AEMET forecasts points to highs still reaching the low-to-mid 30s Celsius in parts of the archipelago on Wednesday, September 16, particularly in southern and southeastern zones and in mid-elevation areas.
For visitors, the practical “travel warning” is less about a blanket ban and more about a fast-changing set of conditions that can vary sharply by island, coast versus inland, and time of day. The eastern islands, especially Lanzarote and Fuerteventura, are frequently highlighted during calima events because dust can be more concentrated and visibility can drop more noticeably in low-lying areas.
How calima can disrupt flights, ferries, driving, and excursions
Calima is a recurring Canary Islands phenomenon, but it can be a real trip disruptor when visibility and air quality deteriorate. In the aviation context, even when runways remain open, dust haze and associated wind patterns can contribute to operational knock-on effects such as altered approaches, spacing between aircraft, or sporadic delays.
Travelers should watch for day-of-travel updates from their airline and airport, particularly if connecting through the eastern islands. Conditions can also affect ferry crossings and small-boat excursions, especially if wind and swell increase alongside reduced visibility. Marine forecasting for the Canary Islands coastline has flagged reduced visibility around Lanzarote and Fuerteventura during the current episode.
On land, the regional pre-alert guidance notes that visibility can reduce considerably and advises extra caution for motorists. For holidaymakers, that matters on high, exposed roads that lead to viewpoints and trailheads, and on island routes where sudden haze can make distances deceptive and increase fatigue, particularly in heat.
Health and beach safety: who should take extra care
Emergency guidance associated with the calima pre-alert emphasizes that suspended dust can trigger or worsen symptoms for people with chronic or respiratory conditions. Visitors with asthma, COPD, cardiovascular conditions, or significant allergies may want to treat the week as a “plan B required” period for strenuous outdoor plans and consider bringing or replenishing routine medications before long day trips.
General self-protection advice published in connection with these episodes focuses on reducing exposure: keeping doors and windows closed when dust is heavy, staying hydrated, avoiding intense exercise, and limiting time outdoors if symptoms develop. Many hotels and holiday rentals have air conditioning, but travelers should still consider how frequently they will be moving between indoor and outdoor environments.
Beach days can also change character during calima and heat. Haze can make the sun feel less intense while UV exposure remains high, and warm, dry air can increase dehydration risk. If you are hiking coastal paths or spending long periods in the water, it is worth factoring in fatigue, reduced visibility at viewpoints, and the possibility of changing sea conditions.
What travelers should do now: checks to make before you leave
Because island-level impacts can shift quickly, travelers should check AEMET’s Canary Islands warnings and forecasts each day of the trip, rather than relying on earlier screenshots or social posts from a previous calima pulse. If you have booked a guided hike, boat tour, or a summit viewpoint excursion, ask the operator what their threshold is for dust, heat, and visibility changes and what rebooking options exist.
If you are traveling from the UK, the UK government’s Spain travel advice remains the baseline reference for general safety, insurance, and local rules. For travelers from other countries, equivalent national travel advisory pages can provide a useful checklist approach even when they do not issue a specific Canary Islands alert.
It may also help to re-pack with the week’s conditions in mind: a high-filtration mask for sensitive travelers during dusty spells, extra water capacity for long drives or hikes, saline eye drops for irritation, and a flexible itinerary that keeps the most exposed activities, such as inland hikes or long road trips, for the clearest, coolest morning windows.
On-the-ground expectations: what could still be open even during a pre-alert
A pre-alert does not automatically mean resorts close or that flights stop. In many calima episodes, the main changes are practical: hazy skies, muted views, reduced visibility at scenic overlooks, and less comfortable conditions for strenuous activity. The experience can differ sharply between sheltered coastal areas and warmer, dustier inland or elevated terrain.
In parts of Tenerife, for example, local municipal guidance tied to the current pre-alert has highlighted that upland zones and summit routes can feel markedly hotter and dustier than beach areas, and that visibility at popular viewpoints may be reduced. That split can be useful for trip planning: you may still enjoy beaches, museums, dining, and lower-intensity sightseeing even if you postpone the big hikes.
If you feel unwell during a dust or heat episode, the Canary Islands use the European emergency number 112 for urgent assistance. Travelers should also keep their travel insurance details accessible and consider choosing activities that keep you closer to shade, water, and transport options during the warmest hours.