The “Minerva Red” phenomenon that covered Greece: What a NASA satellite recorded

Thanks to the NASA satellite and data from Aqua, which passed over the country on the morning of Tuesday 4/23, they show in high resolution the intense wave of African dust “Minerva red” that took place in the Eastern Mediterranean region. This particular phenomenon affected Greece to a very large extent. The shallow low in the Sirte area moving towards Greece carried very large amounts of African dust making the air quality very difficult, composing an eerie scene with a red sky.

Apart from the African dust, very high temperatures were recorded in areas of Southern Greece and especially in Crete, where the highest temperature was recorded in Falasarna of Chania with a value of 36.6°C, reported ERT.

Maximum temperatures in Greece

African dust has once again suffocated the country, with the situation really stifling, especially in the south. Crete disappeared in the brown veil, amid temperatures close to 30°C. Experts reiterate the risk to health due to the high concentration of fine particles in the air, while meteorologists predict that the phenomenon will last until tomorrow, when it will begin to recede from the west.

African dust, combined with strong temperature fluctuations, creates an explosive cocktail in the atmosphere. According to experts, African dust can cause exacerbations of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, which is why patients with respiratory problems should not be exposed for long hours outside and wear masks.

“If I develop symptoms and do not know that I have a disease, I should not assume that this is the result of African dust. African dust in a healthy person does nothing. It means that I have a respiratory disease and I haven’t discovered it” points out the professor of Pulmonology and Intensive Care, EKPA Theodoros Vasilakopoulos.

Today is the highest concentration of dust, with experts estimating that it is even more than what we had about two weeks ago.

The journalist of ERTNews, Alexandros Memos, was found on the hill of Filopappos. As he reported, Salamis had disappeared from the landscape due to the cloud of African dust that has covered the Attic sky. At the same time, the Stadium of Peace and Friendship and the Tower of Piraeus were barely visible.

At the same time, the temperature shows large discrepancies in the southern regions, compared to the northern part of the country.

The meteorologist of the public radio and television, Nicoleta Ziakopoulou, spoke of “impressive weather contrasts in the country”. As he said the stormy southerly with gusts of 10 and 11 Beaufort sent the temperature in northern Crete and the Prefecture of Chania to 35 degrees, at the same time Florina and Metsovo were experiencing rainy weather with only 10 degrees Celsius, a difference of 25 degrees between North and South.

From Wednesday, the dust will subside, while temperatures are expected to normalize.

Views: 14