shutterstock-2698329259

Tempest Regina: a cloud of sand from the Sahara is going to settle in the capital

undefined undefined undefined 13h00

The Editor

© DustandAshes / Shutterstock

For the past few days, spring has officially knocked on Paris's door, much to our delight. It's a complete turnaround after the heavy rains and snowstorms, not due to seasonal norms, but thanks to a warm breeze straight from the world's largest sandy desert. And it certainly has its consequences.

At the end of February, a first orange wave touched the skies of the capital, bringing with it the first hints of warmth. This time, the flow from the south is set to linger for no less than a week over the country, bringing along a fair share of dirt and sand particles. The concentration will peak over the capital this Friday, March 6 before starting to decline from the weekend.


A Summer Breeze

For the past few days, storm Regina has been making its way gently up towards northeastern Europe from the Balearic Islands, passing through our lovely country. And it brings with it a lovely cloud of sand straight from the Sahara. This meteorological phenomenon is far from rare in the capital, explained by two factors : a .Surface winds strong enough to bring up the sand from the lower layers of the atmosphere, along with a high-altitude flow capable of moving it. This time, the wave is expected to last a good week, even tinting the sky in a lovely orange hue at the beginning and end of the day on days when the sand concentration is highest.


A potential health risk ?

In addition to the color of the sky, traces may also be visible on cars, especially if it rains. And there are light showers forecasted for the weekend. While this phenomenon is not new and has occurred several times in recent years, it still raises some concerns. Indeed, these sand particles contain cesium 137, a radioactive element that is obviously harmful. However, according to L'IRSN (Institute for Radiological Protection and Nuclear Safety), the quantities are negligible and do not pose a real danger to health. It is still recommended to avoid doing intense outdoor sports and to wear a mask if you have respiratory issues.