A dusty veil descended upon parts of Europe as an uncommon influx of particulates from the Sahara desert swept across the continent.

Residents in cities across France, Switzerland, and southern Germany woke to a hazy spectacle, casting an orange hue across the skies, reminiscent of scenes straight out of a postcard from the arid dunes of North Africa.

Meteorologists from the German Weather Service, notably Christian Herold, noted the unusual phenomenon, attributing the yellowish tint in the air to the influx of Sahara dust.

This unexpected occurrence is poised to linger, with forecasts suggesting visibility of the dust through Easter Sunday, according to reports from Der Spiegel.

The phenomenon, while rare, is not entirely unprecedented.

Annually, between 60 and 200 million tonnes of mineral dust are lifted from the Sahara, with the larger particles settling closer to home while the finer ones embark on journeys spanning thousands of kilometers.

Switzerland, nestled amidst the Alpine splendor, found itself grappling with unusually high levels of particulate matter.

Authorities flagged concerning levels of air pollution, particularly in a corridor extending from the southwest to the northeast of the country.

Reports from Switzerland’s airCHeck monitoring service highlighted the substantial influx, with approximately 180,000 tonnes of dust recorded—double the volume observed during comparable dust storms in recent memory.

This surge prompted vigilance and caution among residents and officials alike.

Across the border, French locales along the Mediterranean coast, such as the department of Herault, found themselves under the shadow of elevated air pollution levels.

Local authorities issued advisories urging residents to curtail strenuous outdoor activities, recognizing the potential health implications posed by the unusual atmospheric conditions.

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Main Image: Dust Storm in Gibraltar (Mar 2022) – Sahara Dust, by Cabeza2000. Licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International

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