A new episode of Saharan dust transport is underway starting today, Monday (27/7), with the phenomenon expected to gradually affect the entire country. According to the Atmospheric Composition Information Hub for Greece (AtmoHub), the dust transport will be most pronounced in the upper atmospheric layers, while lower concentrations are also expected near the surface.
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As AtmoHub notes, the atmospheric conditions currently prevailing across the Eastern Mediterranean are favorable for the transport of air masses carrying elevated loads of desert dust from North Africa toward Greece. The phenomenon is expected to last until Wednesday, July 29, with peak concentrations forecast to occur tomorrow, Tuesday, July 28.
Where are elevated dust concentrations expected?
More specifically, elevated dust concentrations are expected tomorrow, Tuesday (28/7), primarily in the following regions:
– Central Greece
– Attica
– Peloponnese
– Crete
– Ionian Islands
– Cyclades
– Dodecanese
As AtmoHub emphasizes, in southern Peloponnese, Laconia, Messenia, Achaea, and Argos, dust concentrations are expected to temporarily affect surface-level air quality as well, with marginally degraded air quality recorded (~50 μg/m³).
AtmoHub also reports that current forecasts indicate that the majority of the dust load will remain in the higher atmospheric layers, with limited impact on near-surface PM₁₀ particulate matter concentrations. The hub adds that the dust transport event is expected to gradually weaken by July 29, as atmospheric circulation patterns in the region shift.
Finally, individuals belonging to vulnerable groups are advised to monitor the development of the phenomenon, particularly in areas where locally elevated particulate concentrations are observed.
Track the forecast and follow the progression of the event using Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS) data via the AtmoHub online portal: https://portal.atmohub.gr/erimiki-skoni
