Greece: Orange Sahara Dust Haze Descends over Athens
A dramatic orange haze has descended over Athens as clouds of dust have blown in from the Sahara Desert. According to officials, this is one of the worst episodes of its kind to hit Greece since 2018. Similar clouds of dust had already affected Greece, Switzerland, and southern France in late March and early April. The skies are predicted to clear on Wednesday, according to Greece’s weather service.
Impacted Areas and Air Quality
The dust cloud has caused air quality to deteriorate in many areas of Greece. On Wednesday morning, the Acropolis in Athens was no longer visible due to the dust. The cloud has reached as far north as Thessaloniki. In response, Greeks with respiratory conditions have been urged to limit their time outdoors, wear protective masks, and avoid physical exercise until the dust clears.
It is worth noting that the Sahara releases 60 to 200 million tonnes of mineral dust per year. While most of the dust quickly descends to the earth, some small particles can travel long distances, occasionally reaching Europe. The combination of dust and high temperatures has made the atmosphere particularly stifling in southern Greece. Meteorologist Kostas Lagouvardos compared the view from one weather station to the planet Mars.
Wildfires and Weather Conditions
The fire service reported 25 wildfires in the past 24 hours. One fire broke out near a naval base on the island of Crete, where temperatures soared above 30°C (86°F), leading to the evacuation of homes and a kindergarten, according to local reports. Dust plumes from the Sahara are not uncommon across Europe and can vary in intensity. However, they tend to occur most often during the spring and autumn.
The current event across the eastern Mediterranean was caused by an area of low pressure over Libya, which brought strong southerly winds. These winds drew in high concentrations of dust and sand from North Africa into Greece, particularly on Tuesday. The southerly winds also brought hot desert air with them. Temperatures rose well above the average for late April across the Greek mainland and islands, with a recorded temperature of 36.6°C in the Chania region of Crete.
Future Outlook
The highest concentrations of dust will be focused further east on Wednesday as a cold front with cleaner, fresher air continues to sweep in from the west. By the end of the week, fresher and cleaner air is expected to return to the eastern Mediterranean, with temperatures also returning closer to normal for this time of year.
While dust plumes from the Sahara are a recurring phenomenon in Europe, their intensity can vary. It is important for individuals in affected areas to stay updated with weather reports and follow the guidelines provided by local authorities to protect their health and well-being.
