The cloud of dust from the Sahara spreads from Spain to Switzerland and gives the sky an eerie glow
Spanish officials have issued extremely poor air quality ratings for much of the country after a mass of hot air from the Sahara dumped dust after crossing the Mediterranean Sea, with weather experts warning Britain could be next.
The cloud of dust created by Storm Celia has prompted a series of eerie videos and photos to be shared online showing orange-hued landscapes across the country.
Spain’s national air quality index rates the capital and much of the south-east coast as “extremely unfavourable” – the worst rating.
Spain’s weather service described the Saharan dust storm as “extraordinary and very intense,” but added it was unclear if it was the worst episode of its kind on record.
Meanwhile, weather experts have predicted eastern parts of Britain could also be affected by the dust cloud this week.
BBC weather presenter Carol Kirkwood said poor air quality was already being felt in the UK on Wednesday.
Spain on Tuesday issued extremely poor air quality ratings for much of Spain after a mass of hot air from the Sahara dumped heaps of dust after crossing the Mediterranean Sea. Pictured: An orange sky can be seen over a building in Navares, Spain
Sky with reddish tones due to the arrival of Saharan dust, on March 14, 2022 in Navares, Caravaca de la Cruz, Murcia, Spain
Sky with reddish tones due to the arrival of Saharan dust, on March 14, 2022 in Navares, Caravaca de la Cruz, Murcia, Spain
She said: “Air quality was very poor in parts of Spain today and it could very well hit us in the south east and East Anglia on Wednesday.
“So if you wake up on Wednesday and your car is covered in orange dust, you know where it’s coming from and why.”
dr Asthma UK clinical lead Andy Whittamore said if the cloud of dust hit the UK it could put millions of people at risk and urged people with asthma to make sure they travel with their inhaler at all times.
In a statement, he said: “Sahara dust could pose a serious risk to the 5.4 million people in the UK with asthma. Dust and other types of air pollution are a known trigger for people with asthma.
“Toxic air can cause people to gasp and wheeze, cough, shortness of breath and even a life-threatening asthma attack.
“People with asthma need to make sure they carry their reliever inhaler (usually blue) with them at all times in case their symptoms worsen.
Madrid woke up to an unusual meteorological phenomenon caused by a large amount of dust from the Sahara desert
Tourists visit Puerta del Sol square as Storm Celia blew sand from the Sahara Desert over Madrid, Spain, March 15, 2022
Pictured: People are seen as dust from the Sahara blown away by Storm Celia impacts the city in Madrid earlier this morning
Pictured: A vehicle covered in dust from the Sahara desert blown away by Storm Celia is seen March 15 in Madrid, Spain
View of Almeria Fortress covered in orange by the fly ash from the Sahara desert in Almeria in south east Spain
Pictured: A former Swiss Air Force jet fighter, Mirage 2000, is on display in front of the Swiss Army entrance at Payerne Air Force Base, while the Saharan sand colors the sky orange and creates a special light atmosphere, Switzerland, earlier today
Saharan dust hovers over central Switzerland near the mountain Brisen and the village of Stans in the canton of Nidwalden in Switzerland
“Also, we advise people with asthma to continue to treat their condition with their preventive inhaler (usually brown) as this will help reduce inflammation in their airways and make them less likely to respond to asthma triggers.”
The Spanish weather service predicts the dust could continue to accumulate through Wednesday, reaching as far north as the Netherlands and north-west Germany.
Many Spaniards woke up on Tuesday to find a red layer of dust on terraces, streets and cars.
The sky in the capital, Madrid, and other cities took on a gloomy hue. Visibility in Madrid and cities like Granada and Leon has been reduced to 2.5 miles, the weather service said.
Emergency authorities have recommended citizens wear face masks when going outside and avoid outdoor exercise.
The research unit of the Laboratory of Climatology at the University of Alicante shares updated information on the situation and has issued advice for those living in dust-affected areas.
Pictured: the orange sands from the Sahara that fell on snow overnight at Piau-Engaly ski resort in southern France
A skier watches as sand from the Sahara covers snow overnight at the Piau-Engaly ski resort in south-west France
Pictured: People at the San Nicolas viewpoint in Granada with the Alhambra in the background blurred by Saharan dust
In a recent Facebook post, they wrote: “We insist again that given these concentrations of airborne particles, it is perfectly advisable to wear the mask on the street, especially for people suffering from respiratory illnesses.
“We also advise against long-term outdoor activities.”
The hot air wave has also affected air quality in areas north of Madrid as far north as Spain’s Canary Islands in the Atlantic, where these events are more common, and in the Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean.
The weather service said the mass of hot air from Africa, brought in by a storm that provided much-needed rain for drought-hit Spain, has also pushed temperatures to 20C in some areas.
Ruben del Campo, a spokesman for the Spanish Weather Service, said that while it is unclear whether climate change is directly related to this episode, the expansion of the Sahara over the past century has increased the potential for major dust storms in Europe.
He also said the increasingly turbulent weather patterns associated with climate change could play a role.
“There are many concerns about the impact that climate change is having on the patterns of frequency and intensity of storms that favor the arrival of dust in our country,” Mr. del Campo said.