HOMEOWNERS and drivers are being warned to keep their hoses packed away as a massive ‘tongue of Saharan dust’ sweeps across Spain, bringing the dreaded ‘blood rain’.
The phenomenon, driven by strong southern winds, is currently pushing a dense cloud of suspended sand from Africa across the peninsula and the Balearics.
But the real headache for those living on the costas and inland will arrive when this dust collides with an incoming Atlantic weather front, experts at Meteored report.
Where the rain and the calima meet, residents can expect lluvias de barro — muddy rain that coats cars, terraces, and swimming pools in a thick layer of orange sludge.
Where will the blood rain fall?
According to the latest meteorological models, the dust began creeping into southern Spain on Monday.
Today (Tuesday), the hazy skies will spread across Andalucia, the east coast, the centre of the country, and the Balearics, bringing the first scattered muddy showers.
However, Wednesday, April 29, is expected to be the peak of the episode.
Heavy concentrations of dust combined with widespread rain will see significant mud deposits across Andalucia, Extremadura, Madrid, and areas of Castilla-La Mancha.
Only the extreme north of Spain and isolated parts of the Mediterranean coast — where the rain is expected to be weaker — are likely to escape the worst of the grime.
Health warnings
Beyond the messy cleanup, the calima poses a genuine health risk, particularly for older expats.
The suspended PM10 particles can cause severe respiratory issues.
Those with asthma, breathing difficulties, or heart conditions are advised to keep their windows closed, avoid heavy outdoor exercise, and wear a face mask if the sky turns a deep orange.
The dust is expected to clear from most regions by Thursday, although some forecast models suggest it could return to the Mediterranean coast just in time for the weekend on Friday.
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