Saharan Dust Cloud Returns to Europe, Less Intense Than February Episodes

And three in a month. According to meteorologists, the Saharan sand is moving mainly in the Pyrenees and Nouvelle-Aquitaine until Wednesday. The Météo Pyrénées webcam reports that Saharan sand could already be seen in the sky over Pau on Monday, March 1st.

Meteorologists say the phenomenon should be less significant than the two previous episodes in February. According to Météo France’s Mocage atmospheric chemistry model, up to 1.5 g/m² could still fall. This phenomenon will be mainly observed on the snow-capped peaks of the Pyrenees, and will cause a deterioration of air quality in the southwest.

It remains to be seen whether this Saharan sand cloud will also carry radioactive material like the one that had crossed France, particularly Lorraine and Franche-Comté, on February 6.