Saharan dust - Calima

[danP]

Not only is the Azores high bringing some much needed improved weather to Iberia and now pushing into western Europe, this also brings another phenomena as Saharan dust is currently being pushed as far west as the Canaries and even Madeira. It's called the Calima in this part of the world.

In the next few days the dust plume will push into Portugal, western France and potentially as far north as the southern UK.

The dust load forecast for Tuesday and Wednesday is attached from Athens Uni.

 

[maritimesbob]

Eumetsat picked up an image of the dust being transported east on Feb 17, then north across the Canary islands and Madeira. Love this image as it shows how the dust pretty much follows the area of high pressure sitting over northwest Africa and southwest Europe.

 

[maria]

Here in southern Portugal it was quite extreme on Tuesday, but has cleared today. Next week is forecast to bring more dust and blood skies!

 

[danP]

The upper level low that impacted southern Iberia and Morocco has transported Saharan dust as far north as Norway, with another plume expected into next week. We had the orange/red moon in Cornwall yesterday morning.