Apocalyptic images were witnessed by residents in many areas of Greece yesterday, as the sky was covered by thick clouds of African dust. From noon it will begin to recede.
The entire Eastern Mediterranean was affected by the strong wave African dust “Minerva red” that “swallowed” the whole country, creating eerie images, especially in Attica and in areas of the southern Peloponnese, where the sky was “painted” orange.
Satellite data of the US Aqua satellite of NASA that passed over our country, on Tuesday morning (23/04), show in high resolution the intense wave of African dust that took place in the Eastern Mediterranean region affecting 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.
Satellite image from NASA’s AQUA satellite on the morning of Tuesday, April 23, 2024 shows the intense African dust wave that took place in the Eastern Mediterranean
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Visibility was limited and the atmosphere became particularly suffocating, especially for the vulnerable groups, while the same happened in many towns in the province, in which there was one of the most serious episodes of African dust transport that have ever been recorded.
The images in Kalamatawhere the atmosphere was more reminiscent of Cairo, with the setting reminiscent of sandstorm.
Stormy southerlies brought huge amounts of Saharan dust, making the atmosphere stifling especially for those with respiratory problems.
The images as recorded by the live web cameras of weather-messinia:
African dust in Kalamata
messinialive.gr
African dust in Kalamata
messinialive.gr
African dust in Kalamata
messinialive.gr
THE powder became the number one trend on the X platform, where one after another netizens shared images of various parts of Athens, which had “disappeared” behind an orange cloud of dust.
As can be seen, however, the phenomenon is significantly limited from today as, according to the newest forecasts of the Copernicus service, in the morning and mostly from noon onwards concentrations of African dust from the country are expected to decline significantly.
For the next few days and until Saturday, it is expected for west, north-west winds to prevail, which, according to Thodoris Kolydas, prevent the “visit” of African dust.
African dust over Athens
African dust over Athens
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African dust over Athens
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African Dust: How it affects our health
African dust affecting Greece is a relatively frequent phenomenon, particularly when meteorological conditions favor the transport of dust particles from the Sahara desert.
The frequency and intensity of African dust phenomena in Greece can vary from year to year, from 7 to 20 episodes (average 13 episodes/year), depending on atmospheric conditions and the amount of dust transported from the Sahara.
In general, it is not unusual for Greek space to be affected by African dust.
This natural event can have significant effects on the health of the inhabitants of our country, mainly through the degradation of air quality.
African dust carries particles in a wide range of sizes, such as PM 10, PM 2.5 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 reflected in increased hospital admissions.
Special attention is required for residents of urban centers and areas with already low air quality, reports the Hellenic Pulmonology Society.
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African dust over Athens
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African dust over Athens
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African dust over Athens
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African dust over Athens
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The weather forecast for Wednesday (24/04)
In the west and north of the mainland, clouds are predicted to temporarily increase with a few local rains. Isolated storms will develop in the northwest during the early morning hours and again during the night.
Locally limited visibility is forecast in continental areas in the morning hours.
The transport of African dust affecting our country gradually from the morning will start to decrease. However, it should be noted that a significant decrease in concentrations is predicted from midday onwards, when it will be limited to the east.
Winds will blow from the west at 4 to 6 Beaufort. In the eastern island country winds will initially be SE 7 to 8, but will quickly weaken and turn to S SW 3 to 5 and in the south 6 locally to 7 Beaufort.
The temperature will drop slightly mainly in the west.
MACEDONIA, THRACE
Weather: In Western Macedonia temporarily increased clouds with rain and possibly isolated rain in the mountains until the morning hours and gradual improvement. Few clouds in the rest of the areas. Locally limited visibility in the morning hours. From the evening again in the west the weather will worsen.
Winds: West southwesterlies 3 to 4 and in the east temporarily in the morning 5 to 6 Beaufort.
Temperature: From 11 to 22 degrees Celsius. In western Macedonia 3 to 4 degrees lower.
IONIAN ISLANDS, EPIROS, WESTERN Mainland, WESTERN PELOPONNISE
Weather: Intermittently increased cloudiness in the continental areas with the possibility of local rains mainly in the mountains and in the early hours of the morning isolated storms in the northwest. From the evening and from the west the clouds will increase again and at night in the northwest there will be local rain and isolated storms.
Winds: West-northwesterly 4 to 5 Beaufort temps in the morning in the Ionian locally 6 Beaufort. In the evening in the north they will turn to southwest 3 to 4 Beaufort.
Temperature: From 12 to 21 degrees Celsius. In the interior of Epirus 3 to 5 degrees lower.
EASTERN STEREA, EVIA, EASTERN PELOPONNISOS
Weather: Sparse clouds at intervals thicker.
Winds: Western directions 4 to 5 and locally 6 Beaufort with weakening in the evening.
Temperature: From 13 to 23 degrees Celsius.
CYCLADES, CRETE
Weather: Scattered clouds.
Winds: Western directions 4 to 6 Beaufort and temporarily in the east in the morning southeast 7 to 8 Beaufort.
Temperature: From 15 to 22 degrees Celsius.
EAST AEGEAN ISLANDS – DODECANISE
Weather: Scattered clouds.
Winds: South southeast 6 to 7 and in the Dodecanese locally 8 Beaufort, but will quickly weaken to 4 to 6 Beaufort and locally in the southernmost parts of the Dodecanese up to 7 Beaufort.
Temperature: From 15 to 22 and in the south up to 24 degrees Celsius.
THESSALY
Weather: Sparse clouds at intervals thicker with a chance of local rain in the midday-afternoon in the mountains.
Winds: From western directions 3 to 4 Beaufort, temporarily until noon in the Sporades southeast with the same intensity.
Temperature: From 09 to 20 degrees Celsius.
ATTICA
Weather: Scattered clouds.
Winds: West northwest 4 to 5 Beaufort.
Temperature: From 14 to 24 degrees Celsius.
THESSALONIKI
Weather: A few clouds temporarily increased.
Winds: Variable 3 to 4 Beauforts.
Temperature: From 11 to 22 degrees Celsius.
