Natural dust forecast

Predictions of natural dust at individual height levels are included in the forecast products provided within the EU CAMS. Natural dust is composed of various minerals, but in smaller quantities it can also contain organic material (remains of plants and animals). It is mostly dust from deserts or semi-deserts. Dust originating from the Sahara is most often found on the territory of the Slovak Republic. Episodes of dust transfer from dry areas from the Caspian Sea or the Arabian Peninsula have also been recorded. The transfer of natural dust occurs under specific meteorological conditions that allow dust particles to rise from a height of several meters to a height of several thousand meters above the earth's surface. Their subsequent horizontal transmission can reach a distance of several thousand kilometers. It is interesting to observe the movement of dust at different altitudes on the forecast maps. In recent years, episodes of Saharan dust transmission are more frequent than in the past. Note: Natural (desert) dust shown on the forecast maps is part of the PM10 size fraction (particles smaller than 10 µm). The size and amount of transferred dust grains depends on several factors, mainly the local characteristics of the earth's surface at the point of collection, meteorological conditions and distance.