Saharan Dust Plume to Sweep Across France, Peaking Thursday

Overview

• The plume, already affecting Spain and the south of France, is forecast to cover most of the country by Thursday with a peak Thursday and gradual easing into the weekend.
• Air quality will deteriorate as PM levels rise, with guidance for sensitive groups to avoid strenuous activity outdoors, keep windows closed and consider air purifiers.
• Skies are expected to take on an orange or yellow hue with reduced visibility, and sand‑laden showers are possible near the Mediterranean with ocre deposits on surfaces.
• Meteorologists attribute the event to strong southerly flows that loft Saharan particles and carry them north, a pattern most common from late winter to early spring.
• Researchers note that current data are insufficient to show a climate‑driven increase in such events because high‑quality dust records span only about one to two decades.