African dust turns Greece into a Martian landscape

In Athens, skies are a sickly yellow color, in complete contrast to the famed Attic blue and sunny atmosphere.

Specifically for Crete, the national weather service warns that the PM10 particulate concentration will exceed the average daily 50 μg / m3 limit value.

It should be noted, however, that on Saturday, in particular, it snowed in the plain of Nida, as well as on mount Psiloritis. This is really crazy weather for Greece as the snow became orange and many people were taken to the hospital with breathing problems, while a few hours before it the island was again drowned in dust.

Thus, after a "two-day" break, the phenomenon will be intense and will affect the entire region of Crete. The movement of particles from the south began on Sunday, but the concentrations were initially tolerable. Later, however, there will be more intense movement, causing again problems on the island, as there will be significant turbidity in the atmosphere, while visibility will be significantly reduced, according to meteorologist Manolis Lekkas.

Maximum concentrations are expected to appear on Monday afternoon, as they did on Sunday. African dust will begin to subside gradually in the afternoon, but the atmosphere is expected to clear from Tuesday onwards, according to Mr. Lekkas.

On the basis of the above and for the protection of the citizens, according to the "Short-term Action Plan for Air Pollution by Airborne Particulates", the Region of Crete recommends to persons at increased risk: "Adults with respiratory or heart problems and children with respiratory problems
should reduce any intense physical activity, especially if it is outdoors, people with asthma may need more frequent inhalations of the palliative drug. Also people over 65 years old should restrict their physical activity. "

In response to the situation several schools in Lasithi and Chania have been closed down and children have been asked to stay home.