A massive dust cloud from the Sahara Desert has caused air quality in many parts of Europe to drop fivefold and may create “blood rain.”
Video: WMO
A large brown dust cloud has appeared in numerous satellite images, covering much of Portugal, Spain, and France, raising concerns about air quality and visibility. Strong winds from Storm Celia off the northwest coast of Africa have carried dust from the Sahara Desert high into the atmosphere. Southern winds then pushed the dust northward into Europe, tinting the sky red.
Video shared by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) shows a scene at a ski resort in Spain, where the snow resembles sand and the sky has turned orange. WMO also shared images from Switzerland, where snow-covered mountains appear to be tinted orange.
European residents can enjoy stunning sunsets due to the dust particles scattering sunlight. The sky will appear red and orange during sunrise and sunset, reducing visibility and creating a hazy landscape. Due to the high concentration of dust in the air altering the color of the scenery across Western Europe, many people are expressing concerns about air quality. Spain, France, and Portugal are particularly at high risk as they are receiving the most dust.
Scene at a ski resort in Spain affected by Sahara dust.
On March 15, the European Environment Agency measured dust density in Spain at over five times the recommended air quality threshold set by the European Union, according to the Copernicus Earth observation program. High dust density can impact the respiratory systems of all individuals in the affected areas, triggering asthma and increasing local fine dust pollution.
This weekend, experts predict that Storm Celia will bring heavy rain to much of Western Europe and intense rainfall to southeastern Spain. It is likely that rainwater will appear red in many areas of Spain due to the combination with high dust concentrations, resulting in “blood rain.” As the rain falls through the atmosphere, it captures dust particles in the air, causing the dust to settle and cover vehicles, homes, and roads. After the dust settles, Europe is expected to clear up by early next week, with the sky returning to blue and air quality improving.
Dust storms are quite common in arid regions, caused by storm systems moving through an area and strong winds lifting dust into the air. Such phenomena are expected to occur more frequently in the near future. Climate change may lead to more Sahara dust reaching Europe due to altered wind patterns and rainfall caused by rising temperatures on land and oceans.
