Calima Returns to Lanzarote: What to Expect from Today’s Weather
Lanzarote weather today, Monday 5 October 2026, is bringing a distinctly different feel to the island, with calima, high cloud and the possibility of some unsettled weather later in the day.
If you are waking up in Lanzarote today and noticing that the sky looks hazier than usual, the reason is calima – dust carried across the Atlantic from the Sahara region of North Africa.
For visitors enjoying an October holiday in Lanzarote, it may make the day feel a little different from the clear blue skies the island is famous for, but there is no reason to panic. Calima is a relatively common weather phenomenon in the Canary Islands.
Calima in Lanzarote today
According to the latest weather forecast, light calima is affecting the eastern Canary Islands today, including Lanzarote and Fuerteventura. There is a possibility that the concentration of suspended dust could become more noticeable towards this evening, particularly across the eastern islands.
Calima occurs when winds carry fine particles of dust from North Africa towards the Canary Islands. The result can be a hazy or slightly milky-looking sky, reduced visibility and, when the concentration is higher, a distinctive yellow, beige or orange tint.
For photographers and visitors, it can create some spectacular-looking skies – although anyone with respiratory sensitivities may notice the dust more than others.
What will the weather be like in Lanzarote?
It isn't simply a case of sunshine disappearing today.
The forecast for Lanzarote on Monday 5 October calls for variable cloud, with medium and high clouds particularly noticeable. Temperatures are expected to remain fairly stable, while winds will generally be light from the northeast, although they can be stronger in some parts of the island.
There is also a low probability of scattered showers, with the possibility of an occasional thunderstorm towards the end of the day.
That means anyone heading out for a full day around Lanzarote should perhaps keep an eye on the sky rather than assuming that today's weather will remain completely settled.
Could Lanzarote see rain or thunderstorms?
Possibly.
The current forecast indicates a low chance of scattered rainfall in Lanzarote, with isolated showers and thunderstorms possible towards the end of the day.
This is particularly interesting because October can sometimes bring the first signs of more changeable weather after the long, dry summer period.
However, a forecast mentioning a possibility of rain certainly doesn't mean that the whole island is going to have a washout. Lanzarote's weather can vary considerably from one part of the island to another.
Is calima dangerous?
For most healthy visitors, a light calima is simply an atmospheric phenomenon and something that comes and goes.
However, suspended dust can affect people who are particularly sensitive to airborne particles. If you are sensitive to dust, it makes sense to avoid strenuous outdoor exercise when the calima is at its strongest and keep windows closed if the air outside becomes particularly dusty.
For everyone else, it is generally a case of enjoying the island while being aware that the visibility and appearance of the sky may be different.
What should tourists do today?
Don't cancel your plans just because of the calima.
Lanzarote remains a fantastic island to explore, and today's conditions don't mean that beaches, restaurants, attractions or excursions are automatically off the agenda.
If you're heading out, however, it is worth:
• Taking plenty of water with you.
• Applying sunscreen even when the sky looks hazy.
• Checking the latest forecast before travelling to another part of the island.
• Taking a light waterproof layer if you are staying out into the evening.
• Being aware that visibility can change when dust levels increase.
• Taking extra care with outdoor exercise if you are sensitive to airborne dust.
And remember that calima does not necessarily mean extreme heat. Today's forecast is a mixture of dust, cloud and relatively stable temperatures rather than simply a repeat of a summer heatwave.
What about tomorrow?
The unsettled pattern isn't necessarily disappearing immediately.
The forecast suggests that calima could remain present on Tuesday, with the dust potentially more noticeable in Lanzarote and Fuerteventura. There is also a continued possibility of showers in parts of the eastern province.
So if you're visiting Lanzarote this week, keep checking the local forecast rather than relying on a forecast you looked at several days ago.
Lanzarote weather can change quickly
One of the things that makes Lanzarote's weather so interesting is that conditions can change surprisingly quickly.
You can wake up to a hazy sky, see the clouds clear, enjoy sunshine for several hours and then experience completely different conditions later in the day.
For residents, it's simply another example of Lanzarote's ever-changing weather. For tourists, it can be a reminder that the island isn't always just endless sunshine and blue skies – and that's part of what makes living and holidaying here so interesting.
Today's message is simple: the calima is back, the skies may look hazier than usual, and there is a small chance of some unsettled weather later – but Lanzarote is still very much open for business and ready to be enjoyed.
Weather information based on the latest forecasts available for Monday 5 October 2026. Conditions can change, so always check the latest official forecast before making weather-dependent plans.
