Spain is on alert for Saharan dust as three regions are affected by muddy rain

Wait until Friday if you want to wash the cars, clean windows or see the clear sky. A plume of Saharan Dust moving across Mediterranean is headed towards southeast Spain where it could coincide with rainfall and leave muddy deposits over cars, roads and outdoor surfaces.

According to AEMET he dust is expected to reach parts of the Mediterranean coast on Friday, August 28, with eastern Andalucía, the Region of Murcia and the Valencian Community most exposed. The combination of rain and dust could cause the dirty brown or reddish-brown rain that is associated with Saharan Dust in areas where both rain and dust fall at the same moment. 

Where can the mud rain fall?

These are the areas that have the most clear skies. Muddy rain is a risk are eastern Almería, the Region of Murcia and Alicante province. It is easy to understand: Saharan Dust is already suspended above the Mediterranean and moving towards southeast of the peninsula. As the dust moves overhead, raindrops can collect and transport the dust particles to the ground. Meteorologists have warned that it may not be best to wash your car on Friday in affected areas. 

The area affected by the dust It will cover a larger area than areas susceptible to muddy rain. Eastern parts of Andalucía, Murcia and the Valencian Community could all see the Saharan air mass, although the dust is expected to be more noticeable higher up in the atmosphere. This means that some areas could see a hazier or dirtier looking sky without any significant muddy rain.

Saharan dust already reaching Spain

Dust has already been felt on the Balearic Islands where a weak calima signal was reported Thursday. The plume, which is suspended over the Mediterranean Sea, is expected to move towards southeast Spain on Friday. Forecasts suggest that the episode will then weaken over the weekend. 

Dust concentrations near the ground are not expected to reach high levels. The dust will be deposited at higher altitudes, so the main sign could be a reduced level of clarity in the skies, rather than a thick layer of dust. When rain falls, it can change the picture. The dust particles are washed from the air and fall on the surface.

Rain is expected in other parts of Spain

It is unlikely that the Saharan Dust will be responsible for all Friday’s rain. In the northwest of Spain, more rain is expectedRain is also expected in parts of Asturias, western Castilla y Leon, Caceres and Guadalajara. Rain is also expected in parts of Asturias, western Castilla y León, Cáceres and Guadalajara. These areas are affected by another weather system, not the Saharan dust that is moving across the Mediterranean.  As the weekend nears, temperatures will rise and the weather should become dryer across much of the country.

 For people in eastern Andalucía, Murcia and Alicante, however, Friday could bring an unwelcome combination: rain falling through Saharan dust and leaving a layer of mud behind. This does not mean that all areas in the three regions are going to receive muddy rainfall. The phenomenon depends on rain occurring where the dust concentration is present, with the greatest likelihood focused on eastern Almería, Murcia and Alicante.  It may not make sense to fix the car on Friday if it is already dirty.