Mineral dust

A dust storm originating from the Sahara Desert is sweeping across Istanbul, prompting health warnings from experts due to potential adverse effects on respiratory health.

The dust clouds, propelled by strong winds, reached Türkiye from the Sahara Desert and engulfed Istanbul during the midnight hours, impacting some districts.

NASA satellite photos capturing African dust from space - Dust up to the end of May

Transfer of Saharan dust is expected in the western and southern regions

Dust clouds dragged from Syria by strong winds have covered the skies over many southeastern and central Anatolia provinces on June 3.

"People residing in these provinces should not go out if not necessary, or wear face masks," prominent meteorologist Orhan Şen said.

Dust clouds have covered the skies of southeastern provinces, while the visibility range has decreased due to the dust transportation from Syria.

Layers of dust coated vehicles and apartment balconies in the provinces of Şırnak, Bingöl, Mardin and Tunceli late on May 23.

Turkey's eastern and western regions have been hit by adverse weather conditions, with experts warning for the possibility for weather disturbances to continue.

Dust clouds blowing from Europe will cover Turkey's sky until the next week, a Turkish academic has said.

An Istanbul-based meteorologist, Hüseyin Toros, told state-run Anadolu Agency that desert dust storms that hit Europe and have been active throughout the week are now heading toward Turkey starting from today.

Saharan dust continued to cover Athens and many parts of the country on Thursday, affecting particularly the western regions, as winds brought sand from Libya.
Meteorologists say the phenomenon will continue on Friday with dust clouding northern Greece and the islands of the north Aegean before northwestern winds start to clear out the atmosphere on Saturday afternoon. 

Swathes of Greece are blanketed in orange haze after southerly winds swept dust from the Sahara desert in Africa to southeastern Europe.

Health authorities have urged the young, elderly and those with breathing problems to limit their time outside.

 Huge dust clouds have reduced visibility in large parts of Greece, including the capital Athens.

Two young women sit on a bench on Lycabettus Hill on Monday as a thick cloud of African dust hangs over the capital. The dust limited visibility across much of the country and health authorities urged those with respiratory problems as well as the elderly and young children to avoid going outdoors if possible.