Weather phenomenon in Germany: Sahara dust colors the sky – and brings "blood rain"

Dust from the North African Sahara is creating a natural spectacle that is as fascinating as it is frightening in many places – and could cause a “rain of blood” over Germany in the next few days.

On Wednesday (March 16) the time has finally come: Spring will be here in some parts of the country, temperatures of up to 20 degrees Celsius are possible. The reason for this are mild air currents from the southwest. That’s the good news. But it is precisely these air currents that also cause an almost creepy phenomenon.

Weather in BW: Yellow-red sky and “blood rain” – Sahara dust causes a spooky phenomenon

The weather phenomenon can be observed in many places as early as Monday afternoon or Tuesday afternoon at the latest. The air currents then carry dust from the North African Sahara desert to Europe – and that could become a spoilsport.

Spring lovers will get their money’s worth on Wednesday thanks to the warm desert air in some regions, at least as far as the daily highs are concerned. But the spring air also has a large amount of Sahara dust in its luggage, which colors the sky yellow-reddish. A fascinating, but sometimes frightening sight.

Weather in Germany: Sahara dust could dampen solar radiation

“With extreme amounts of dust, the dust cloud is several kilometers high and clouds the recently so clear, blue sky milky-yellow. Particularly colorful sunrises and sunsets can also be attributed to the cloud of dust on Wednesday and Thursday,” says Björn Goldhausen, spokesman and meteorologist at WetterOnline.

“Large amounts of desert dust can, however, also cause unforeseen dense clouds to form, which then dampen the solar radiation. The dust will therefore tip the scales when it comes to the 20-degree mark,” says the expert

Sahara dust over Baden-Württemberg: “blood rain” and dusty windshields

Other consequences can also be yellow-brown snow in the mountains and so-called “blood rain”. “Most of the sandy air is likely to remain in higher air layers. On Thursday, however, a weather front will move in from the northwest,” Goldhausen continues.

The weather front not only drives the dust east, but also washes it out of the air with the rain.

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Sahara dust over Germany – a health hazard?

Incidentally, in the Middle Ages, the rain of blood was considered an ominous omen, today the marks that the rain leaves on cars and window panes are perceived as disturbing. Despite everything, the question remains as to whether there might also be health concerns: During measurements in France last year, experts found out that the weather phenomenon, which occurs quite frequently, contains radioactive material*. HEIDELBERG24* reported on this. Among other things, the scientists took dust particles from parked cars and analyzed them. (mko/PM) *HEIDELBERG24 is an offer from IPPEN.MEDIA

Rubric picture: © Marijan Murat / dpa