Home / Editor's Pick /

Across Southern Europe: Saharan dust continues to spread

12:00
29 March 2024

Across Southern Europe
Saharan dust continues to spread

Saharan dust is spreading in Southern Europe, causing poor air quality due to the fine sand and leaving deposits of dust behind.

In the southern regions of Italy, skies have taken on a hazy tone. Sicily and parts of Calabria are particularly affected. The video above shows what it looked like on Wednesday in Catania in Sicily.

The desert dust from the Sahara was channelled to Europe by a strong southerly wind, it will move further into Central Europe in the coming days but is unlikely to reach the UK or Ireland.

Saharan dust satellite imageSaharan dust seen spreading over Portugal and Spain earlier this week on March 22nd. - © NASA

Last week, the Saharan dust first reached the Iberian Peninsula, with satellite images showing the dust cloud spreading across Portugal and Spain.

Ski slopes look on an orange hue in Spain as the dust, also referred to as calima, reached the country.

See more of the initial impacts with our article below.

Spain: Skies and ski slopes turn orangeread more
Weather & Radar editorial team
More on the topic
Weather map showing a category 5 hurricane over Jamaica and heavy rain over Cuba.
Monday 27 October 2025

Extreme wind and rain

Hurricane Melissa threatens Jamaica
Weather map with colour representation of strong winds and marked peak gusts in Western Europe.
Friday 24 October 2025

Gusts exceed 99 mph

Storm Benjamin sweeps across Europe
A weather map shows Hurricane Melissa over Jamaica. The Category 5 hurricane is moving over Montego Bay and Kingston with strong winds. Colours indicate wind speeds.
Wednesday 29 October 2025

Disaster in the Caribbean

Hurricane Melissa sweeps across Jamaica
All weather news
This might also interest you
Monday 25 August 2025

Bank holiday outlook

Warm day turning gusty in places
Weather map of the UK and Ireland showing scattered showers with cloudy patches across much of the region, especially around western and northern areas. Sunshine symbols appear over London, Cardiff, and parts of southern England, while temperatures range from 17°C to 18°C in most places. Areas of heavier rain are visible over the Atlantic to the west.
Friday 29 August 2025

Breakfast brief

Unsettled conditions into the weekend
Sunday 24 August 2025

Your weather - Your shots

Mammatus clouds widely spotted
All articles
Weather & Radar

www.weatherandradar.ie

facebooktwitteryouTubeContact uslinkList
Privacy Policy | Legal info | Accessibility statement