Saharan dust transport to affect mostly western, southern Greece over Tues-Wed

The transport of dust from the Sahara to Greece began on Monday afternoon and is expected to reach a peak on Tuesday and Wednesday, AtmoHub, the hub for atmospheric quality in Greece, said on Monday.

AtmoHub noted that conditions in the central and eastern Mediterranean favour the transport of gases rich in Saharan dust from North Africa to Greece.

Initially, as of Monday, the dust was expected to have low concentrations in the western parts of Greece. As of Tuesday and Wednesday, however, it will reach higher concentrations and affect western and southern Greece, particularly the following areas:

- The Peloponnese, Crete, The Ionian Islands, and Western Greece (various locations).

As AtmoHub noted, the dust concentrations will affect the lowest strata of the atmosphere, and are expected to reach 60-70 μg/m³ locally, particularly in the Peloponnese and in Crete. The phenomenon will start receding after Tuesday, AtmoHub said, warning people in vulnerable groups to avoid lengthy exposure outside, if high concentrations of particles are noted.

The public can follow the forecast and development of the phenomenon through the AtmoHub and the data provided by the Copernicus CAMS European system at:  https://portal.atmohub.gr/erimiki-skoni

AMNA