Saharan dust alert for Spain as three regions face muddy rain

Severe dust alert looms over southeastern Spain as a plume of Saharan dust is set to traverse the Mediterranean, potentially arriving on Friday, August 28. The Spanish meteorological agency, AEMET, warns that eastern Andalucía, Murcia, and the Valencian Community are expected to be most affected by this phenomenon. As the dust moves across the region, it could combine with rainfall, creating a "dirty brown or reddish rain" laden with particles.

This phenomenon, known as "calima," has already been observed in the Balearic Islands. While the entirety of eastern Andalucía, Murcia, and Alicante could potentially experience this muddy rain, the dust itself will likely remain suspended at higher atmospheric levels, leading to a hazier sky rather than a heavy layer of dust. The most significant impact is expected in eastern Almería, Murcia, and Alicante, where the probability of encountering this rainy, dusty combination is highest.

Consequently, individuals in these regions may want to postpone activities such as car washing or window cleaning until the dust episode subsides. Despite the presence of Saharan dust, other parts of Spain will receive rainfall from different weather systems, mostly in the northwest. Overall, the country is expected to experience drier conditions and rising temperatures as the weekend progresses.