Dust Storm Season in North Africa and the Middle East

Seasonal changes in wind strength and direction can loft copious amounts of dust into the air and carry it across seas and ocean basins.
Saharan Dust Heading for Europe
Image

Saharan Dust Heading for Europe

A substantial dust plume drifted over the Atlantic Ocean, with some of the airborne grains steering toward the northeast.

Published Feb 18, 2021

Image of the Day Land Dust and Haze

Dust Over Seas
Image

Dust Over Seas

A plume of mineral-rich dust filled the skies over Cyprus and the Mediterranean on a summer’s day.

Published Nov 25, 2020

Image of the Day Atmosphere Land Dust and Haze

A Dust Plume to Remember
Image

A Dust Plume to Remember

While dust routinely blows across the Atlantic Ocean, scientists rarely see plumes as large and dense with particles as the one that darkened Caribbean skies in June 2020.

Published Jun 29, 2020

Image of the Day Atmosphere Dust and Haze Remote Sensing

Dust Traverses the Atlantic Ocean
Image

Dust Traverses the Atlantic Ocean

A tremendous plume of dust from North Africa drifts toward the Caribbean and contiguous United States.

Published Jun 19, 2020

Image of the Day Atmosphere Land Water Dust and Haze Remote Sensing

More Dust Blows Out from North Africa
Image

More Dust Blows Out from North Africa

The latest in a series of dust storms carried even more dust and sand off the coast of Morocco and Western Sahara.

Published Mar 9, 2020

Atmosphere Land Water Dust and Haze

Dust Blankets the Canary Islands
Image

Dust Blankets the Canary Islands

Flights were grounded as visibility was severely hampered by a Calima event.

Published Feb 24, 2020

Image of the Day Atmosphere Land Dust and Haze Human Presence