Athens Skies Turn Orange as Saharan Sand Clouds Blanket City

On April 25, 2024, the skies over Athens, Greece turned an eerie orange hue as sand clouds from the Sahara Desert in North Africa blew across the Mediterranean Sea and engulfed the city. The Greek capital's iconic landmarks, including the Acropolis, were blanketed in a layer of orange sand, creating a surreal, Mars-like atmosphere in the final hours of daylight.

Kostas Lagouvardos, the weather research director at the Athens Observatory, stated that this was one of the most severe episodes of sand and sand concentrations from the Sahara since March 2018. "The skies are predicted to clear on Wednesday as air currents shift and move the sand away," Lagouvardos said.

The Saharan sand clouds not only created striking visuals but also posed health risks, particularly for individuals with respiratory conditions. Greek authorities issued warnings about the fine sand particles in the air, urging residents to limit their time outdoors, wear protective masks, and avoid physical exertion until the sand clears.

Why this matters: The migration of sand clouds from the Sahara to Greece is an intermittent occurrence that can lead to reduced visibility and respiratory concerns. The Sahara releases between 60 and 200 million tonnes of mineral sand annually, with the smallest particles traveling thousands of kilometers and reaching Europe, affecting air quality and public health in the region.

The strong southerly winds that carried the sand also contributed to the outbreak of unseasonal early wildfires in southern Greece. The Hellenic Fire Department reported 25 wildfires across the country in the past 24 hours. Three people were arrested on the Aegean Sea resort island of Paros for accidentally starting a scrub blaze, but no significant damage or injuries were reported.

Greece suffers from devastating and often deadly forest fires every summer, and the persistent drought combined with high spring temperatures has raised concerns about a particularly challenging period for firefighters in the coming months. Last year, the country recorded the European Union's largest wildfire in more than two decades, which destroyed over 378,000 hectares of land.

Key Takeaways

• Saharan sand clouds engulfed Athens, Greece on April 25, 2024.
• The sand clouds created a Mars-like atmosphere and posed health risks.
• Authorities issued warnings about the fine sand particles in the air.
• The sand clouds also contributed to the outbreak of early wildfires.
• Greece faces a challenging wildfire season due to persistent drought and high temperatures.