Copernicus CAMS
How much desert dust there will be in the air in each town over the next three days, from the European Copernicus forecast.
Good to know
Several times a year winds from Africa and the Middle East bring desert dust over Cyprus. The sky turns hazy and yellow, and the air carries far more fine particles than usual, which matters most for people with asthma, heart or lung conditions, for children and for older people.
This page shows the forecast amount of dust at ground level for six towns, every three hours for the next three days, so you can plan outdoor exercise, school trips or opening the windows.
Source: Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS), the European Union’s Earth observation programme. A forecast, not a measurement; follow the Ministry of Health’s advice during dust episodes.
Mostly from the Sahara and the deserts of the Middle East. Low-pressure systems and southerly winds lift the dust and carry it across the eastern Mediterranean, most often in spring and autumn.
They describe dust at ground level in micrograms per cubic metre: below 20 no dust to speak of, 20 to 50 light, 50 to 100 moderate, 100 to 200 high and above 200 very high. For comparison, the World Health Organization’s daily guideline for fine particles (PM10) is 45.
People with asthma, chronic lung or heart conditions, pregnant women, children and older people. On high dust days they should avoid strenuous activity outdoors and keep windows closed.
The Copernicus forecast is renewed every day; Cyprus Atlas reads it for each town every few hours.
No. The official measurements of the Department of Labour Inspection are the reference. This page shows the dust forecast, which helps you see a dust episode coming.