“Minerva red”: The phenomenon that drowned Greece in African dust (maps) – Newsbomb – News

Greece has been turned into… Sahara by African dust, with meteo releasing images captured by NASA’s Aqua satellite.

Specifically, satellite data of NASA’s American Aqua satellite that passed over our country on the morning of Tuesday, April 23, 2024, show in high resolution the intense wave of African dust “Minerva red” that took place in her area Eastern Mediterranean greatly affecting her Hellas.

The shallow low in her area Latch moving towards Hellas it carried very large amounts of African dust making the air quality very difficult, making for an eerie scene with a red sky.

Apart from the African dust, very high temperatures were recorded in its regions Southern Greece and mainly in Crete, where in Falasarna, Chania the highest temperature with a value was also noted 36.6°C.

When will the sun be seen again?

The phenomenon, however, is still taking quite a while to end as the forecasts are for at least another 24 hours with this atmosphere!

In detail what the EMY states:

The weather on Wednesday 24-04-2024

In the west, central and northern continental areas, clouds are forecast to temporarily increase with a few local rains until the afternoon. Isolated storms will develop in the northwest during the early morning hours and again during the night.

In the rest of the country, sparse clouds temporarily thicker in the southern Aegean.

Meteorological conditions favor the transport of African dust mainly to the east and south.

Winds in the west, central and north will blow from westerly directions 4 to 6 Beaufort. In the rest of the areas they will initially blow from south directions 4 to 6 and locally in the eastern Aegean 7 to 8, but they will quickly weaken and turn to west southwest 3 to 5 and in the south 5 to 6 Beaufort.

The temperature will drop slightly in the west.

The weather on Thursday 04-25-2024

Initially in the west and gradually in the north, clouds are predicted to temporarily increase with local rains until the afternoon. Isolated storms will develop in the west during the morning hours.

In the rest of the country, sparse clouds, temporarily denser and gradually generally clear weather.

The winds will blow from west directions 3 to 5 and on the seas, mainly in the south, 4 to 6 Beaufort.

The temperature will fall.

The weather on Friday 04-26-2024

Generally clear weather and only in the midday and afternoon hours in the north will local clouds develop and there will be local rain or showers.

Winds will blow from west directions 3 to 5 and in the south locally up to 6 Beaufort. From the afternoon they will gradually turn to north-northwesterly winds with the same intensity.

The temperature will rise across the country.

Recommendations from the Hellenic Pulmonology Society

At the same time, the Hellenic Pulmonology Society issued a statement in which it recommends citizens to be particularly careful in their movements.

He notes that African dust carries particles in a wide range of sizes, such as PM10, PM2.5 or even much smaller, and can also entrain pollutants from the atmosphere.

An increase in particulate matter in the atmosphere can worsen respiratory conditions such as asthma, bronchitis and allergies. People with pre-existing respiratory conditions are particularly vulnerable during periods of increased dust levels and this is also reflected in increased hospital admissions.

Special attention is required for residents of urban centers and areas with already low air quality.

• Respiratory effect. One of the primary health effects of African dust is its effect on respiratory health. Fine dust particles can penetrate deep into the lungs and even enter the bloodstream. For people with conditions such as asthma, bronchitis or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), exposure to these particles can worsen symptoms, leading to shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing and chest discomfort.
• Allergies and irritation. African dust can cause allergic-type reactions in some people, respiratory tract irritation, nasal congestion, sneezing and watery eyes. People with allergies or sensitivities to environmental factors may experience increased symptoms during periods of increased levels of African dust.
• Cardiovascular effects. In addition to respiratory problems, exposure to African dust has been linked to cardiovascular problems. Particulate matter can contribute to inflammation, oxidative stress, and vasoconstriction, which can increase the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and other cardiovascular diseases, especially in vulnerable populations.
• Effect on the immune system. Prolonged exposure to African dust can also affect the immune system, making people more vulnerable to respiratory infections and other illnesses. The inflammatory response caused by dust particles can weaken the body’s defenses and make it harder to fight pathogens.
• Long-term health risks. Chronic exposure to African dust and its associated pollutants has been associated with long-term health risks, including respiratory disease, reduced lung function, cardiovascular disorders, and even some types of cancer. Continuous exposure to high levels of dust particles can have cumulative health effects over time. According to a 2020 review of the impact of dust on air quality in Europe, an estimated 42,000 deaths/year are attributed to dust, while in Mediterranean countries it has been estimated that 27-44% of the number of deaths are related to PM10 particles it is due to African dust.

It is important that citizens, and especially those with respiratory problems, take precautions during periods of increased levels of African dust. Here are some guidelines to help you minimize the health effects of the phenomenon:

• Stay informed. Monitor air quality reports and weather forecasts to know when African dust levels are expected to be high.
• Limit outdoor activities. If possible, avoid spending extended periods of time outdoors when dust levels are high, especially during windy days when particles are more likely to become airborne.
• Close the windows and doors. While homes and workplaces should generally be ventilated, during African dust peak periods, ventilate a little in the morning and then keep windows and doors closed to prevent dust particles from entering your home or workplace. If you have one, use air cleaners or filters to improve indoor air quality.
• Use masks. When going outside, especially in dusty conditions, consider wearing a mask to reduce inhalation of dust particles.
• Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water.

During periods of increased dust levels, it is highly recommended that people with pre-existing respiratory conditions take precautions to minimize the health effects of exposure to dust particles.

Asthma patients may need to increase the dosage or frequency of taking inhaled medications based on the control plan recommended by their doctor to reduce symptoms. It is pointed out that at this stage special attention is recommended to asthmatics, due to spring allergies.

Patients with COPD may need to increase palliative care with inhaled medications.