A vast cloud of Saharan dust has reached Italy accompanying yet another wave of extreme heat in the summer of 2026. From the major islands to the North, the dust coming from North Africa has made the sky milky, with yellowish hues and reduced visibility, coinciding with temperatures that in some areas of the South have exceeded 40 degrees.
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According to weather forecasts, the transport of sand and desert dust was particularly intense between August 27 and 28, when southern currents associated with the African anticyclone pushed huge amounts of mineral aerosols towards the Mediterranean. The highest concentrations initially affected Sardinia and southern regions, then extended to the Center-North, involving the entire peninsula.
The phenomenon is not new, but its scale and frequency are attracting increasing attention from the scientific community. Saharan dust intrusions are indeed a natural component of the Mediterranean climate system: every year millions of tons of sand are lifted from the North African deserts and transported by winds towards Europe. However, the increase in heat waves and the greater persistence of atmospheric configurations that favor the rise of subtropical air masses seem to contribute to making these episodes more frequent and intense.
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The effects are immediately visible. The sky loses its typical summer clarity and takes on a dull coloration, sometimes tending to yellow or brown. Suspended dust diffuses sunlight and can cause particularly intense and scenic sunsets. In the presence of precipitation, moreover, the dust settles on the ground giving rise to the so-called “red rain” phenomenon, which leaves obvious traces on cars, windows, and exposed surfaces.
The impact is not only on the landscape. Desert dust contributes to increasing atmospheric particulate concentrations, particularly PM10, with possible consequences for air quality. Several studies have highlighted how Saharan transport episodes can cause exceedances of particulate thresholds monitored by environmental agencies, especially in southern and island regions.
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