The phenomenon is not new, but it is striking in its intensity. On Tuesday, residents of southwestern France woke up to an episode of Sahara sand dust in the air, giving the sky a yellow tint, and covering vehicles with a substantial film of sand.
According to Météo-France, these sand dust concentrations are indeed intense on Tuesday morning, and this should continue during the day, before heading north on Wednesday. The phenomenon had crossed Spain on Monday.
Risk of increased particulate levels
Météo-France specifies that “the South-East winds” which have been blowing in particular over the New Aquitaine region since Monday evening “bring back desert dust from the Sahara. » « This dust is visible today in the sky (orange color) and on the ground (sands washed away by rain and/or humidity). “Météo-France adds that” the levels of PM10 suspended particles will increase during the day and Wednesday, which could degrade the Atmo air quality indices in certain departments, in particular in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques where the indices are forecast to be poor for today and tomorrow. »
This Tuesday, the phenomenon is visible from the Pyrenees to the Pays-de-la-Loire, via Bordeaux, Angoulemeand even as far as Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes.