The current bout of African dust has painted Greece’s skies an unappealing greyish-brown hue, while unseasonal temperatures make people wonder why they ever put their summer clothes away.
Yesterday, temperatures exceeded 30 degrees Celsius in Crete, reaching an insane 32.6 degrees in the city of Chania, the highest the island has seen this time of year since 2010.
Specifically, according to meteorologists, temperatures recorded this season are 4 to 7 degrees the normal levels expected this time of year.
Dust from the Sahara desert has settled on the Athens skyline these past few days, turning any rainfall into mud showers.
The suffocating weather is especially dangerous for vulnerable groups and people with respiratory issues. African dust contains particles that can interact with pollen, bacteria and fungi, creating a particularly toxic and dangerous mixture for the human body, especially for the respiratory system.
The Hellenic Thoracic Society has sent out a plea to citizens, especially those belonging to the aforementioned groups, to be particularly cautious.
They urge them to avoid unnecessary movements and outdoor exercise during hours with the highest dust concentrations and to seek immediate medical attention should clinical symptoms such as difficulty breathing, intense coughing, chest pain, persistent wheezing, tearing, and hoarseness, arise.
Although the African dust is set to disperse as the week draws to a close, it will make its comeback next week, albeit with less density.
Unseasonal temperatures will persist until at least mid next week, with daily highs of 28 degrees in most regions of the country and up to 30 in southern and eastern Greece.
