Sahara Dust Blankets Athens, Rare Snowfall Hits Helsinki in Europe's Weather Twist
A veil of Sahara dust shrouds Athens, while Helsinki witnesses an uncommon snowfall event during April's erratic weather patterns. Public broadcaster dubs it as an unexpected weather phenomenon.
A yellow-orange haze of dust from the Sahara desert has covered parts of Greece, leading to health warnings and stunning, dreamlike views.
According to the Greek meteorological service****, on Tuesday, the weather conditions were ideal for the dust to travel from Africa, resulting in higher levels of dust in the air, especially in the southern regions of the country.
The service predicted that the dust would start to decrease on Wednesday morning. By midday, it would only be "limited to the east."
People in Athens were seen observing the yellow-orange fog from the hills near the Greek capital in videos and images shared online.
YouTube/ El Purepeche
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Some people enjoyed evening strolls in the city and posted pictures of the vibrant orange sky on social media. According to one user, meteorologists have compared the appearance of Athens to that of "a colony of Mars."
The neighboring country of Cyprus in the eastern Mediterranean has also experienced the effects of the dust.
A low-pressure system over northern Africa brought dust over Cyprus multiple times in mid-April, causing skies to darken and air quality to decrease, according to NASA.
On April 22, NASA's Terra satellite captured an image showing a layer of tan dust covering Cyprus. The dust was forecasted to keep moving across the Mediterranean, affecting both Cyprus and Greece in the days ahead, as per NASA.
Clouds of dust occasionally travel from northern Africa to Greece and other regions, causing limited visibility and raising concerns about breathing hazards.
People cross a snow covered railway in Helsinki, Finland, on April 23, 2024, as an unusual weather system brought trams in the city to a halt.
People cross a snow covered railway in Helsinki, Finland, on April 23, 2024, as an unusual weather system brought trams in the city to a halt.
Alessandro Rampazzo/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images
Unusual Weather Phenomenon in Finland
A recent weather anomaly in southern Europe coincided with an abnormally heavy snowfall in northern Europe. This unexpected snowfall caused major disruptions to public transportation in southern Finland, according to a report by public broadcaster YLE.
"Unexpected snowfall in April" covered some areas with over 20 centimeters (7.9 inches) of snow, causing transportation disruptions in Helsinki, Finland. Trams were stuck, and bus and metro services were delayed. Flights at Helsinki Airport were also affected, with cancellations and delays reported, according to YLE on Tuesday.
At the same time, police in southwest Finland noted about twelve road accidents due to the snowy conditions, fortunately without any serious injuries. Maintenance crews faced challenges clearing the snow from power lines.
Snowfall is not unusual in Finland during the winter months. However, according to Helsinki's public transport operator HSL's press officer Johannes Laitila, the recent snowfall in late April was considered "unusual." He advised travelers to factor in extra time for their journeys.
Pictures captured Helsinki residents navigating through heavy snow and ice, using umbrellas to shield themselves from the snowfall. The sidewalks, cars, and scooters were covered in thick layers of snow, creating tall heaps along the city streets.
NASA/CNN
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Finavia, the airport operator in Finland, reported that Helsinki Airport experienced overnight freezing rain that quickly turned into ice upon contact with the ground.
Due to this weather condition, Finavia mentioned that the need for runway de-icing and aircraft wing de-icing was significantly higher than usual for this time of year.
All tram services in the city were canceled earlier on Tuesday due to snowy conditions. However, they have started to gradually resume in the afternoon. Maintenance workers are working hard to clear snow from the tram tracks. Unfortunately, they are facing difficulty in removing ice from some overhead power lines. This is because the equipment used to apply glycol, an antifreeze chemical typically used in winter, has been stored away for the summer.
“Unfortunately the severity of the weather surprised us,” said head of the city’s transport organization’s maintenance unit Antti Vigelius in a press statement, according to YLE.
Editor's P/S:
The article highlights two contrasting weather phenomena that have recently impacted Europe. In Greece, a yellow-orange haze of dust from the Sahara desert has blanketed the region, creating surreal and stunning views. This dust, carried by favorable weather conditions, has raised health concerns but has also provided opportunities for awe-inspiring photography.
Meanwhile, in Finland, an unusual April snowfall has disrupted transportation and created a picturesque winter wonderland. While snowfall in Finland is expected during winter, its occurrence in late April is considered unusual and has caused significant challenges for public transport and road safety. The article provides a glimpse into the diverse and sometimes unpredictable nature of weather patterns, which can transform landscapes and impact daily life in both beautiful and challenging ways.
