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The Sun
2 days ago
- Climate
- The Sun
Holiday warning as Saharan dust cloud barrels towards Brit tourist islands & will strike TOMORROW sparking health alert
A SAHARAN dust cloud is set to blanket popular British holiday islands in Spain this Frida y. Brits travelling to or within the Canaries have been warned by Spain 's national weather agency about approaching North African dust - set to affect the archipelago's visibility and air quality. 5 5 5 The dust cloud will hit the eastern Canary Islands - Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria - along with Tenerife, according to Spain's State Meteorological Agency (AEMET). The haze from North Africa will reach the islands, leaving a thin layer of dust on windows and surfaces, AEMET reported. Tourists have been urged to take precautions, especially those who have respiratory conditions. On Friday, the maximum temperature is forecast to rise slightly - to around 22 degrees Celsius. Dust clouds lower air quality, carrying tiny particles like soil, pollen and pollutants, which can then be inhaled. These particles irritate the lungs and airways, potentially triggering asthma and allergies. Those who are said to be at greatest risk are children, older people and people with a weakened immune system or existing lung problems. But not only are the Mediterranean countries hit by Saharan dust, on some occasions, the dust has been found to travel to other countries, including the UK. In fact, the Met Office issued a weather alert for the dust in April, alongside a satellite image showing a cloud of Saharan dust particles hovering over London in 2022. Karen Spillett, deputy head of health advice at Asthma + Lung UK, last month advised people with lung conditions to be cautious and stay indoors. What is a Saharan dust cloud? A Saharan dust cloud is a large mass of dry, dusty air that forms over the Sahara Desert in North Africa. These clouds are made up of tiny sand and mineral particles lifted by strong winds. Once in the atmosphere, the dust can travel thousands of miles. Winds often carry the dust into southern Europe, especially during the spring and summer months. Saharan dust clouds can make the sky hazy, dry out the air and reduce rainfall. They can harm air quality, irritating the lungs and triggering asthma. On a positive note, the dust contains nutrients like iron and phosphorus which helps fertilise rain forests in the Amazon. Horror moment dirty water pipe EXPLODES near tourists' balconies on Costa Del Sol Spillett said: 'If you have a lung condition, especially asthma, you might find that the fine dust particles from the Sahara cause irritation to your lungs. "Fine particles in the air can leave you struggling for breath, and at increased risk of asthma attacks and flare-ups of other lung conditions, like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease." She added: "Keep your windows and doors shut if possible and ensure you have your reliever inhaler with you to treat symptoms if you go out. "If you have a lung condition, ensure you take your preventer medication every day as prescribed, follow your asthma action plan and know what to do if you have an asthma attack or flare-up." It comes as Spain was hit by a bad bout of weather in April - particularly over Easter time, with the Canaries experiencing strong winds and Barcelona seeing heavy rainfall. On April 12, more than a year's worth of rain fell in two hours in parts of the Canaries. Lanzarote was hit by a huge downpour, engulfing homes and streets and prompting officials to declare a state of emergency. 5 5
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Climate
- Daily Mail
Fast-moving airborne threat approaching US triggers public health warnings
A large cloud of dust from the Sahara Desert is moving across the Atlantic and is expected to reach Florida and parts of the southeastern US in the coming days. The dusty air may linger for several days, leading to poor air quality and potential health risks. Experts warn that it can make breathing difficult, especially for people with asthma, allergies, or other respiratory issues, because it carries fine particles that can irritate the lungs. Meteorologist Matt Devitt of WINK Weather in Fort Myers, Florida, shared a time-lapse video on Facebook Tuesday, showing the Saharan dust cloud drifting near Key West, spreading into the Gulf of Mexico, and looping back into South Florida by Friday. As of Wednesday, the cloud had reached the Caribbean Sea. 'The Saharan Air Layer contains about 50 percent less humidity, which can weaken tropical systems and slow down activity in affected areas,' Devitt said . As a bonus, the plume can create stunning sunrises and sunsets, adding a warm, colorful glow to the sky. Saharan dust clouds like this one can travel more than 5,000 miles and often reach the Gulf Coast and Florida each summer. The Saharan Air Layer is a dry, dusty air mass that forms over the Sahara Desert, the largest and hottest desert in the world. Each summer, seasonal weather patterns like the West African Monsoon and high-pressure systems create strong winds that sweep across the Sahara. These winds pick up tiny particles known as aeolian dust and lift them into the atmosphere. Meanwhile, the Bermuda-Azores High, a high-pressure system over the Atlantic Ocean, produces steady east-to-west winds that help carry the dust across the ocean. Another pattern, the African Easterly Jet, helps push the dust higher into the air and even farther west. Together, these wind systems can transport Saharan dust over 5,000 miles, often reaching the Caribbean, Florida, and the Gulf Coast. Dust activity usually peaks between June and mid-August, though the amount of dust varies from year to year. While the dust can lower air quality and pose problems for people with asthma or other respiratory conditions, it also has a silver lining: the dry air and strong winds help suppress hurricanes by making it harder for tropical storms to form and grow. The Saharan dust plume is expected to reach Florida by the weekend, bringing hazy skies, vibrant sunsets, and a drop in air quality. Experts cite guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Weather Service (NWS), which warn that elevated dust levels can trigger asthma attacks and worsen conditions like COPD and allergies. The fine dust particles can also irritate the eyes, nose, and throat. Health officials say children, older adults, and people with heart or lung issues are especially vulnerable during these dusty events. In June 2020, a massive Saharan dust cloud, nicknamed the 'Godzilla plume,' swept from West Africa across the Atlantic, bringing hazy skies from Texas to the Carolinas. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) called it the largest event in nearly 50 years, with reduced visibility and air quality alerts issued across multiple states. Then in July 2023, another thick wave of Saharan dust blanketed Florida, Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, and Mississippi, turning skies orange and pushing air quality into 'unhealthy for sensitive groups' in cities like Miami and Houston. This year's plume is different as it's earlier, denser, and more concentrated, with higher levels of fine particles. As a result, health officials and meteorologists are keeping a close eye on its impact. The size and intensity of these dust clouds vary from year to year, but scientists believe that shifting wind patterns and climate change may be contributing to more frequent and powerful plumes.
BBC News
22-05-2025
- Automotive
- BBC News
Air pollution falls across Windsor and Maidenhead
Pollution levels across four hotspots in the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead have fallen significantly in the last 2024 the council installed pollution sensors near busy roads in Maidenhead, Bray, Wraysbury and followed 2,000 people signing a petition in 2022 calling on the authority to do more to reduce pollution from car the Royal Borough says levels of nitrogen dioxide in those hotspots have dropped low enough to allow it to spend more time and energy developing borough-wide solutions. It said it would now focus more of its efforts on reducing levels of particulate matter is what is created every time someone drives their car down a road, with tiny fragments of dust released into the air from brake and tyre wear, as well as from the road surface itself. The fragments are so small they can get into people's lungs and bloodstream.A report by the council said air pollution particularly affected the most vulnerable in society - children, older people and those with heart and lung conditions. The Royal Borough is now introducing an Air Quality Management Strategy to help it bring down pollution levels further. It said this would look at how it could persuade more people to leave their cars at home and either cycle or walk to work council also said its plans to change how traffic moves through the heart of Windsor would help reduce levels of both nitrogen dioxide and particulate will see the pedestrianisation of Castle Hill, near to the Castle, as well as a series of other public realm enhancements. You can follow BBC Berkshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
