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 radar for Europe showing numerous showers and weather map showing cold air at high altitude
Tuesday 18 November 2025

Influence of cold air

Patchwork quilt of showers over Europe
Satellite map shows cyclone off the north coast of Australia with wind fields around the eye.
Thursday 20 November 2025

Gusts exceeding 90 mph

Tropical storm heads for Australia
Weather map of the UK and Ireland showing widespread blue shading and temperatures around -3°C to 0°C, with a thermometer icon on the left.
Wednesday 19 November 2025

Widely below 0 °C

Frozen end to the week
All weather news
This might also interest you
Mammatus clouds
Thursday 21 August 2025

Unusual view

Mammatus clouds over Ireland
Monday 25 August 2025

Bank holiday outlook

Warm day turning gusty in places
Wednesday 27 August 2025

Breakfast brief

Frontal system brings heavy rain
All articles
Weather & Radar

Weather & Radar

Google Play StoreApp Store

Company

Contact us Privacy Policy Legal info Accessibility statement

Services

Uploader

Socials

facebooktwitteryouTubelinkList