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
Shooting stars, part of the Geminid meteor shower.
Saturday, 13 December 2025

Spot a shooting star

King of meteor showers at its peak
Split image showing a towering storm cloud with rain shafts over the sea on the left and a vivid red aurora illuminating the night sky above residential rooftops on the right, divided by a curved white line.
Tuesday, 9 December 2025

Your weather - Your shots

Autumn captured by you
Radar map showing widespread blue rain bands over the UK and Ireland with a triangular heavy-rain warning icon placed over central Britain.
Tuesday, 16 December 2025

Thursday rain

Incoming downpour prompts warnings
All weather news
This might also interest you
Wednesday, 27 August 2025

Breakfast brief

Frontal system brings heavy rain
plit image showing a double rainbow over a rocky shoreline on the left and sheep grazing in a green field under stormy clouds on the right.
Sunday, 2 November 2025

Your weather - Your shots

Mixed conditions on an unsettled week
Weather graphic showing rain and wind fields over the Canary Islands and a central warning symbol.
Friday, 12 December 2025

Storm and rain

Turbulent weather in the Canary Islands
All articles
Weather & Radar

Weather & Radar is also available on

Google Play StoreApp Store

Company

Contact us Privacy Policy Legal info Accessibility statement

Services

Uploader

Socials

facebooktwittertikToklinkList