Orange-yellow dust from the Sahara Desert has covered many areas in Greece, prompting the authorities to issue health warnings. Meanwhile, unusual snowfall in April has blanketed the capital of Finland in white.
Athens Drenched in Orange
Dust from the Sahara covers Athens on April 23. (Photo: Anadolu Agency/Getty Images).
The Greek Meteorological Agency assessed that the weather conditions on April 23 facilitated the movement of dust from Africa to the country, particularly in the southern region.
However, the Greek Meteorological Agency predicted that dust levels would gradually decrease by the morning of April 24, and from midday onwards, it would only be present in limited areas in the east.
Videos and images shared on social media showed residents in Athens witnessing the orange-yellow haze from the nearby hills. One social media account even remarked that meteorologists commented the orange dust made Athens look like “a colony on Mars.”
The island of Cyprus in the eastern Mediterranean was also affected by the dust. Dust clouds moving from North Africa to Greece and other areas occur occasionally, limiting visibility and prompting authorities to issue warnings about respiratory risks.
Snow Blankets Helsinki
Residents navigate snow-covered tracks in Helsinki, Finland on April 23. (Photo: Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)
YLE, a Finnish broadcaster, reported that unusual snowfall in Northern Europe at this time of year has caused public transport disruptions across southern Finland. The odd April weather resulted in snow accumulation of over 20 cm in some areas, causing trams to become stuck and many bus and subway services to be delayed in Helsinki. Additionally, at Helsinki Airport, numerous flights were canceled or delayed due to the weather impact.
At the same time, police in southwestern Finland reported more than 10 road traffic accidents, fortunately with no serious injuries.
While snowfall is not uncommon during winter months in Finland, the communications officer at Helsinki’s public transport operator HSL told YLE that such heavy snow at the end of April is unusual.
Many photos showed residents of Helsinki carrying umbrellas while walking through thick snow. Workers cleared snow from tram tracks but faced challenges removing ice from some overhead power lines. Anti-freezing chemicals like glycol had already been stored away as summer approached, making them unavailable for use.
