Large dust clouds from the Sahara will blow across Western Europe in the coming days. The European weather and climate service Copernicus sees a remarkably large dust plume approaching, which will first reach Spain and Portugal and, by the end of the week, will also move at higher altitudes as far as Scandinavia. According to the institute, these types of dust clouds can have a significant impact on air traffic.

Dust clouds from the North African desert reach Europe more frequently, usually in spring and summer. The dust particles in the air have various effects: they can give the sky an orange glow on sunny days. Dust can also be deposited on the ground and, for example, on cars, which then become coated with a thin layer of reddish dust.

Flight delays due to desert dust storms are not unusual, the institute states on its website. Even under normal circumstances, dust can cause long-term damage. For example, the fuselage, wings, and cockpit windows of aircraft can become scratched and cracked, and metal parts can corrode.

Saharan dust can also be detrimental to air quality, but this is primarily an issue in Spain and Portugal, and possibly also in parts of France.

The dust is blown up during storms and transported towards western Europe by a low-pressure system. This also happened two weeks ago, but this episode is expected to be "more intense," Copernicus reports.

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* Origin: AVIATION ECHO HQ (2:292/854)