Since Wednesday, March 27, Athens has been invaded by thick clouds of dust and sand coming from the Sahara Desert and North Africa, a phenomenon that is accompanied by especially high temperatures. These clouds should dissipate from Friday morning, according to the weather forecast.
“In spring (March-April), Sharav cyclones, moving eastward along the northern coast of Africa, transport dust to the eastern Mediterranean. A typical sandstorm, with a range of 200 kilometers, transports between 20 and 30 million tons of dust, sometimes up to 100 million,” he specifies on the social network. Theodoros Kolydas.
The capital is regularly affected by these sand storms, but this year they are accompanied by particularly high temperatures, which make the atmosphere unbreathable.
Temperature records
On March 27, 25.3°C was recorded in the center of Athens, a record since March 2009, and in Crete temperatures even reached 32°C, the Greek meteorological services highlighted.
The Union of Pulmonologists of Greece has recommended that the most vulnerable population groups, in particular people suffering from asthma, avoid “unnecessary movement and outdoor sports during hours when dust concentrations are highest.”
“African dust carries particles that can integrate with pollen, bacteria and fungi, creating a highly toxic and dangerous mixture for the human body and, in particular, for the respiratory system,” warns the association.
Source: BFM TV
