Saharan dust transported through the Mediterranean by Storm Ciaran

The passage of Storm Ciarán across the Mediterranean Basin triggered a massive Saharan dust transport from the coast of Libya.

The intense winds associated with the storm caused the dust particles to be lifted high into the atmosphere, where they were carried across the sea by the prevailing winds. This type of dust transport is a common occurrence in the Mediterranean region, particularly during the winter months when storms and strong winds are more frequent.

This image acquired by one of the Copernicus Sentinel-3 satellites on 4 November, shows the Saharan dust cloud stretching from the Libyan coast to Greece, across the Mediterranean basin.

Saharan dust storms can have a significant impact on air quality and on weather patterns. The Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service provides accurate forecasts of the movement of dust plumes, enabling authorities to take preventive measures to minimise their impact.