Greece Skyline Glows Orange as Sahara Dust Storm Hits | Global News

The skies over Greece turned a striking shade of orange on Tuesday as strong winds carried dust from the Sahara Desert, causing a significant deterioration in air quality and soaring temperatures. The capital city of Athens was engulfed in a thick haze, with the iconic Acropolis obscured from view due to the dust storm.

According to reports, the southern island of Crete experienced temperatures as high as 30 degrees Celsius, while northern Greece also saw a spike in temperatures. This weather phenomenon, described as one of the worst since 2018, prompted warnings from authorities about the health risks associated with breathing in the dusty air.

Kostas Lagouvardos, the weather research director at the Athens Observatory, highlighted the severity of the situation, stating that it was one of the most serious episodes of dust and sand concentrations from the Sahara in recent years.

In addition to the impact on air quality, the strong winds also fueled unseasonal wildfires in southern Greece, with 25 wildfires reported in the past 24 hours. Fortunately, no major damage or injuries were reported.

As the week progresses, the eastern regions of Greece are expected to experience a return of fresher and cleaner air as a cold front moves in from the west. The Eastern Mediterranean is anticipated to see a normalization of temperatures, providing relief from the unusual weather conditions that gripped the country.