The sky has taken on an opaque and, at times, yellowishhue , with the atmosphere suddenly feeling heavier.
What might seem like just a change in the light is, in fact, a drastic change in the conditions of the environment we breathe in.
Health impacts and essential precautions: what to do?
The alert in mainland Portugal is clear: air quality is rated from “Poor” to “Very Poor.” This sharp decline is due to the arrival of air masses from the African Sahara Desert, which carry a high concentration of particulate matter.
There is a high risk for children, the elderly, and people with respiratory conditions. To limit exposure to this invisible dust, the first step is to close the windows at home and at work, sealing off indoor spaces.
If you were planning to exercise outdoors, the official recommendation is to keep physical activity to a minimum outside. A run can wait; it is preferable to train indoors.
For people in the most vulnerable groups who must go outside, protection comes down to a simple measure: wear an FFP2 mask. This creates a physical barrier against the involuntary inhalation of these fine dust particles.
The influence of the Atlantic depression and the “mud rain”
The weather scenario also presents another detail highlighted by the Portuguese Institute of the Sea and the Atmosphere (IPMA): the movement of this African sand coincides with an Atlantic low-pressure system affecting the region. When precipitation intersects with the cloud of suspended dust, the phenomenon known as “mud rain” occurs , which is when the raindrops fall laden with brownish dirt, directly hitting vehicles, terraces, and balconies.
It is therefore advisable to postpone washing windows or your car. Wait until the weather event has completely dissipated and the rain, even if light, has washed away the accumulated residue.
Until the blue skies return, the main focus is strictly on respiratory precautions.
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