In March 2026, a significant weather event unfolded as strong winds transported Saharan dust across northwestern Africa towards the Canary Islands. This phenomenon, known as the harmattan, resulted in reduced visibility and prompted alerts in various regions, particularly Morocco.
Tracking the Dust Plume
The dust was monitored using satellite imagery from NASA’s Terra satellite and the NOAA-21 satellite. On March 30, 2026, the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) captured images of the dust plume in the morning, while the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) provided a view four hours later. The images revealed a light-brown dust plume with a defined front, indicating its movement southwest over the Atlantic Ocean.
Conditions Favoring the Harmattan
The harmattan winds, which typically blow from the northeast between November and April, are known for lifting dust particles from the Sahara. During this event, cold temperatures and high winds contributed to the formation of a dust storm. According to Spain’s state meteorological agency, AEMET, the conditions were ideal for a harmattan surge, characterized by stronger winds near the ground following a cold front.
Impacts on Air Quality
As the dust storm progressed, it was expected to worsen air quality and visibility across the Canary Islands, a phenomenon locally referred to as calima. The forecasts indicated that the dust would envelop the islands, with effects persisting through April 1. A previous storm earlier in March had already sent dust toward the Canaries, further impacting air quality.
Understanding Dust Storm Patterns
Research utilizing NASA data has shown that the most intense Saharan dust storms typically occur in the spring, when dust is lifted from the sand seas of central North Africa. This seasonal pattern highlights the dynamic nature of dust emissions, which can also peak during warmer months in the central Sahara.
This event underscores the importance of satellite observations in tracking dust storms and assessing their impacts on air quality and visibility across affected regions.
This article was produced by NeonPulse.today using human and AI-assisted editorial processes, based on publicly available information. Content may be edited for clarity and style.
