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Algorithm Validation

Transparency report showing how accurately our algorithm detects calima events using historical data.

Accuracy
100.0%

50/50 correct

Precision
100.0%

When we say calima, how often we're right

Recall
100.0%

How many actual calima events we catch

Test Events
50

24 calima, 26 clear

Detection Thresholds
The algorithm uses these thresholds to distinguish Saharan dust (calima) from urban pollution.

Dust Concentration

  • Negligible: ≤5 µg/m³
  • Moderate (with visibility): >20 µg/m³
  • High (definitive calima): >30 µg/m³

Other Signals

  • Dust-to-PM10 ratio: ≥60%
  • Reduced visibility: <5 km
  • Clean air (no calima): ≤20 µg/m³ PM10
All Validation Events
Historical calima events and clear days used to validate the detection algorithm.
DateLocationPM10DustExpectedDetectedResult
2020-02-22Gran Canaria12001080calimacalima
2020-02-23Tenerife18401650calimacalima
2020-02-23Lanzarote21001900calimacalima
2020-02-23Fuerteventura19501750calimacalima
2020-02-24Tenerife600500calimacalima
2022-01-15Tenerife12085calimacalima
2022-01-16Gran Canaria450380calimacalima
2022-03-14Madrid520450calimacalima
2022-03-15Lanzarote450380calimacalima
2022-03-15Sevilla280220calimacalima
2022-12-10Fuerteventura7535calimacalima
2022-12-22Gran Canaria180140calimacalima
2023-03-08Tenerife180140calimacalima
2023-12-15Lanzarote220175calimacalima
2023-12-28Fuerteventura9555calimacalima
2024-04-08Murcia150110calimacalima
2024-03-20Málaga8545calimacalima
2024-06-15Tenerife6531calimacalima
2024-07-20Gran Canaria5529no-calimano-calima
2024-08-10Lanzarote6024calimacalima
2024-08-12Fuerteventura6019no-calimano-calima
2024-09-05Tenerife7020no-calimano-calima
2024-09-10Madrid8515no-calimano-calima
2024-10-01El Hierro2018no-calimano-calima
2024-10-05La Gomera1915no-calimano-calima
2024-11-15Gran Canaria5030calimacalima
2024-11-20Tenerife5028no-calimano-calima
2024-12-01Tenerife8025no-calimano-calima
2024-12-02Gran Canaria10028no-calimano-calima
2024-12-03La Palma10025calimacalima
2024-12-04Lanzarote12085calimacalima
2024-12-10Tenerife5030no-calimano-calima
2024-12-11Gran Canaria5030no-calimano-calima
2024-12-12Fuerteventura5030calimacalima
2024-12-13Lanzarote10035calimacalima
2024-04-10La Palma81no-calimano-calima
2024-05-01Tenerife122no-calimano-calima
2024-06-20Gran Canaria183no-calimano-calima
2024-07-15El Hierro61no-calimano-calima
2024-08-05La Gomera102no-calimano-calima
2024-10-15Lanzarote154no-calimano-calima
2024-11-01Fuerteventura225no-calimano-calima
2024-12-10La Graciosa143no-calimano-calima
2024-05-20Madrid254no-calimano-calima
2024-06-10Barcelona203no-calimano-calima
2024-07-25Valencia224no-calimano-calima
2024-09-15Alicante183no-calimano-calima
2024-10-20Málaga162no-calimano-calima
2024-11-10Sevilla245no-calimano-calima
2024-12-05Murcia193no-calimano-calima
Data Sources

CSIC (Spanish National Research Council) - Air quality studies

AEMET - Historical reports and forecasts

NASA Earth Observatory - Satellite imagery

Open-Meteo - Historical weather API

Copernicus CAMS - Atmospheric monitoring

Disclaimer
This validation uses a limited dataset of historical events. Real-world accuracy may vary. The algorithm is continuously improved based on new data and feedback.