The European weather agency Copernicus has recorded numerous episodes this year where sand and dust from the Sahara were picked up by wind and carried across continents. According to its atmospheric monitoring service, these fine particles can significantly impact air quality.
The phenomenon was especially frequent during the first months of 2025. In January and February, the central and eastern Mediterranean regions were heavily affected. Between January and May, wind repeatedly carried Saharan sand and dust into Italy and Greece. In February, a cyclone swept large quantities of it into southern Italy and Greece, triggering noticeable drops in air quality.
In March, a major dust cloud reached even further north, affecting parts of France, Luxembourg, and the UK. The concentration of particles was high enough to tint the sky yellow and reduce visibility in some areas.
