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Saharan Dust Plume Peaks Over France This Weekend

A rare Sahara sandstorm driven by a low near Portugal pushed the dust into France.

Overview

  • The plume over France, which peaks Saturday and Sunday, will mostly register at low to moderate levels and still leave a visible haze and a fine sandy film.
  • A strong south wind tied to an Atlantic low pulled dust north from Morocco across Iberia into France, according to MétéoParis.
  • Showers will bring the dust down to the ground, with deposits more likely in the West on Saturday and the East on Sunday, La Chaîne Météo said.
  • Strong winds are forecast nationwide, with gusts near 90 km/h in Cherbourg, and a shift in wind plus rain should flush the dust away from late Sunday.
  • Drivers are urged to delay car washes until the episode passes, as the dust stems from a rare ‘sand wall’ over 1,400 km wide that also tinted skies across southern Europe and disrupted some flights.