An 'intense' Saharan dust plume is set to sweep into Europe this week, bringing hazy skies and colourful sunrises and sunsets, according to the EU's Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS). The dust, originating from North Africa, will be blown into the Iberian peninsula and western Mediterranean, driven by a low-pressure system named Storm Regina by Portugal's weather service.
Spain, Portugal and parts of France will be particularly affected around Friday, before the plume moves into the North Sea and Scandinavia. The UK may see marginal effects, but surface impacts are expected to be minimal. Rainfall could bring the dust to the surface in a process known as 'wet deposition', potentially affecting visibility and air quality.
Mark Parrington, a senior scientist at Copernicus, described the event as 'remarkable', noting that while such dust transport is fairly common this time of year, this episode is more intense than a previous one in February. 'It is going to be visible more at times of sunrise or sunset, deeper orangey colours,' he said, adding that surface air quality impacts are forecast across parts of Spain, Portugal and France.
The plume is expected to reach higher altitudes over the North Sea and Scandinavia. Past events have caused air travel disruptions due to low visibility, and in March 2024, a similar dust cloud led to air pollution up to ten times recommended levels in southern Europe. In 2022, orange skies were seen over London when Saharan dust reached the UK.
