Orange sky over Crete: island covered with desert sand

The Greek Herald reported that meteorologists urged residents, particularly those most at risk, to refrain from outdoor pursuits because of elevated levels of airborne dust. Visibility was severely reduced, leading to significant disruptions at Heraklion airport. At least two flights were rerouted to alternative airports due to the dangerously low visibility.

This situation stemmed from a widespread phenomenon called a calima, characterized by intense winds originating from the Sahara. These winds carried large quantities of sand, generating distinctive orange mists across the region. The occurrence is frequently observed on the Spanish Canary Islands.

Adding to the challenging conditions, the storm Erminio, which had previously unleashed heavy rain, thunderstorms, and powerful winds throughout Greece, exacerbated the already deteriorated weather. The combination of the calima and the storm created exceptionally poor air quality. The abundance of sand significantly impacted travel, highlighting the severity of the weather event and the need for caution among the local population.

The orange haze served as a visible indicator of the hazardous atmospheric conditions.

Topics: #sand #orange #air