What is the Levante?

The Levante/Levanter is a cloud formation that is common to Gibraltar each year in late summer (August-September) that is beautiful to look at … but can cause headaches for pilots trying to land on the runway!

After a bit of online meteorology studying (!) to find out a little more about this ‘banner cloud’ over the Rock that we see each year, it seems to take its name from a strong easterly wind (called the Levant) which blows westerly past through the Strait of Gibraltar.

So, stick with us here, this strong wind blows ‘moisture-rich’ air up and over the Rock. As it passes the summit, it cools down and condenses into a cloud which either hangs around the peak (and might delay your landing) or gets dispersed (and means we’ll see you on time!)