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WEATHER

Sahara sand storm set to turn French skies orange

The skies above south west France are forecast to turn orange on Wednesday, due to a particular weather phenomenon caused by red sand from the Sahara blowing in.

Published: 15 March 2022 15:53 CET
Sahara sand storm set to turn French skies orange
Photo by GABRIEL BOUYS / AFP

According to Metéo France, a gust of desert sand will affect a large part of France, including Nouvelle-Aquitaine and Occitanie, on from late Tuesday.

The orange skies are set to peak on Wednesday, March 16th, continuing into Thursday morning.

The strange weather pattern is expected to be particularly pronounced in some parts of the Pyrenees mountains, where the snow will sport a tinted yellow-orange colour. 

The phenomenon, which occurred several times last year, is known to produce especially spectacular sunsets.

This time, combined with expected rainfall, the sand is likely to accumulate, dropping even more orange dust on our vehicles and mopeds.

Storms in the Sahara create large gusts of wind, which lift the sand into the air.

If this occurs at the same time as a conflict between pressure systems, meaning there is hotter air in the skies and colder air on the ground, small particles of sand can become suspended and carried away, across the Mediterranean to France and Spain.

Though not necessarily dangerous for your health, it may be wise to take care (potentially wearing a mask) these next few days if you suffer from respiratory complications. 

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WEATHER

Southern France on alert as Storm Boris rolls in

Parts of the south of France have been placed on a weather alert as Storm Boris - which caused devastation and at least 18 deaths in Europe over the weekend - is predicted to hit.

Published: 17 September 2024 11:55 CEST
Southern France on alert as Storm Boris rolls in

The storm hit central Europe over the weekend causing torrential rain and floods in countries including Austria, Poland and the Czech Republic and causing the death of 18 people.

It is predicted to move to northern Italy on Tuesday, with areas of southern France expected to be affected by high winds, heavy rain and possible localised flooding.

Five départements along France’s Mediterranean coast are currently under an orange weather alert – they are Alpes-Maritimes, Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, Var, Vaucluse and Bouches-du-Rhône.

The island of Corsica is also on orange alert.

Météo France predicts that the storms will hit Corsica on Tuesday morning and then move north towards mainland France, striking in the evening.

Central and southern France are not expected to experience any extreme weather, but they are predicted to remain cloudy with possible rain on Tuesday.

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