On the trail of Sahara dust with "AirTrack"
From June 24 to 30, 2024, EOC measuring instruments detected dust from the Sahara. Such clouds of Sahara dust are not unusual in Germany, but the intensity and duration of this particular event was indeed noteworthy.
The weather situation brought masses of air from Morocco and Algeria to central Europe via Spain, which meant that very warm air reached Germany. North of the Alps this southwest current led to foehn winds, which caused temperatures to increase further. Because of the prolonged rainfall of the past few weeks and ground made soggy because of flooding, the air in the foothills of the Alps is especially humid and hazy at such high temperatures. The Sahara dust additionally worsened the visibility in the Alps.
Concentrations of tiny dust particles (PM2.5) exceeding 15 μg/m³ were measured In Oberpfaffenhofen, the highest value being over 25 μg/m³ on June 29. Concentrations of tiny dust particles and a few other parameters can be recorded with the so-called "AirTrack" system. This low-cost sensor system is currently being set up at EOC and will in the future make air quality measurements at various locations in Europe. With this inexpensive system comprehensive, large-coverage and continuous real time data collection can take place. Such measurements make it possible to improve air quality models and verify satellite measurements.
Weather conditions in Europe are determined by so-called planetary waves, which deform the jet stream and determine the direction of air mass currents. The Sahara dust occurrences are also part of a natural cycle that has existed for thousands of years. Climate change intervenes in this system by influencing the development of planetary waves. So it can be expected that extreme weather events like dust storms, prolongued precipitation, or hot spells will be more frequent in the future.
Contact
Prof. Michael Bittner