Spain is grappling with a series of violent atmospheric and ecological phenomena. While the Canary Islands brace for the impact of an isolated low-pressure system DANA, a swarm of Saharan locusts has reached Lanzarote. Meteorologists warn of a sharp drop in temperature, strong winds in the Strait of Gibraltar, and so-called 'blood rains' carrying dust from the Sahara, threatening residents' health and air quality in the region.

Impact of the DANA system

Violent storms and downpours forecast for the Canary Islands and parts of mainland Spain.

Locust invasion

A swarm of insects from Africa reached Lanzarote; authorities are monitoring the situation for potential agricultural damage.

Saharan dust threat

The calima phenomenon and blood rains cause significant deterioration in air quality and visibility.

End of anomalous warmth

A drastic drop in temperatures and a return of snowfall in March are forecast.

The meteorological situation in Spain is deteriorating sharply, ending a period of unnaturally high temperatures. The state agency Aemet has issued numerous warnings for almost the entire country. The most difficult situation is in the Canary Islands, where a pre-alert status has been declared due to the approaching DANA system. This phenomenon is expected to bring intense downpours, storms, and even snowfall in higher mountain areas. Simultaneously, strong winds in the Strait of Gibraltar region are disrupting transport, with gusts potentially exceeding 80 km/h. An extremely concerning phenomenon is the appearance on Lanzarote of a swarm of desert locusts, which arrived from Africa with a hot air current carrying Saharan dust, known as calima. Although local authorities reassure that the insects have dispersed and have not yet caused massive agricultural damage, the situation is being constantly monitored. An additional threat are the forecasted „blood rains”, meaning rainfall mixed with suspended dust, which can settle on buildings and vehicles and also negatively affect people with respiratory diseases. The appearance of locusts in the Canary Islands is a rare but historically recorded phenomenon, including during the great invasion in 1954 and a smaller one in 2004, which is always linked to specific easterly wind patterns. Despite the incoming cold, data on water resources is encouraging. Spanish reservoirs are at levels 25 percentage points higher than in the same period last year. However, experts such as Jorge Rey warn that March may bring further cold waves and intense snowfall, suggesting a return to more traditional winter conditions after the episode of anomalous warmth. This season also favors earlier mosquito population development and intensification of allergy symptoms, which specialists term an „explosive spring”. „Las danas tienen las puertas abiertas” (DANAs have the doors open) — Duncan Wingen

Mentioned People

  • Jorge Rey — Meteorologist known for folk forecasting methods, warning of a frosty March.
  • Duncan Wingen — Meteorologist analyzing low-pressure system trajectories.