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France’s Saharan sand sky: Until when will the phenomenon last?
The skies over western France have turned orange due to desert particles picked up on the wind. It happens every year but the concentration of dust this time is unusual
The sky over large parts of western France will remain a deep orange colour until at least tomorrow (March 17), meteorological service Météo-France says.
The effect is caused by particles of sand from the Sahara Desert being picked up on the wind and blown over the country.
See photos of the coloured skies in our article from yesterday here: Saharan sand turns skies orange in southwest France.
The phenomenon was particularly visible over areas in the west of France yesterday, notably Bordeaux and La Rochelle, and will continue to move north today.
The wind is expected to abate from Thursday, ending the episode.
The event happens annually - but Météo-France says that this year the surface area involved and the concentration of dust particles is more unusual.
🛰️Vu de l'espace || On observe bien ici le sirocco, puissant vent chaud en provenance du nord de l’Afrique, transportant poussières de sable #Sahara jusqu'en Europe. Phénomène non inédit mais surface concernée et concentration des poussières remarquables.
— Météo-France (@meteofrance) March 15, 2022
📸TERRA, 15/03, 10h UTC pic.twitter.com/9c6BwNf8Fz
In French, this weather event is called le sirocco.
In 2021, there were several siroccos in February and March, including one episode that saw the Pyrenees covered in a light dusting of orange snow, prompting some to call the mountains the "Saharan Pyrenees".
☁️Le ciel restera voilé à de nombreux endroits aujourd'hui en raison de la concentration de poussières désertiques dans l'atmosphère.
— Météo-France (@meteofrance) March 16, 2022
Avec un tel voile nuageux, les T°C maxi. pourraient être parfois un peu plus basses que prévu.
📸Modèle Mocage, mercredi 12h UTC à jeudi 12h UTC. pic.twitter.com/SIzQ3ZnnSG
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