“The dust in the air can make the sky appear yellowish to brownish and significantly intensify the red of dawn and dusk. With rain or snow, the sand can also reach the ground and make itself felt, for example, on car windshields,” the central institute said for Meteorology and Geodynamics (ZAMG).
Saharan dust over Austria is not uncommon. “However, the current event is relatively strong and one of the strongest in recent years. In certain weather conditions, Saharan dust in northern Africa is whirled up by strong winds and transported to higher layers of air. From there it can be transported over long distances with the corresponding large-scale air currents.” , informed the ZAMG.
The dust, which is harmless in itself, can have health consequences for the respiratory tract of people who have already been exposed to it. The phenomenon also contributes to local air pollution.
Source: Nachrichten
