Mark Parrington, Senior Scientist at the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS), explains how a Saharan dust plume from a powerful storm is being carried across southern Europe and what it means for air quality, visibility, and atmospheric monitoring. Large plumes of Saharan dust regularly travel thousands of kilometres from North Africa into Europe, shaping skies, air quality, and atmospheric conditions far from their source. These events are closely monitored by scientists, as mineral dust is one of the most abundant types of airborne particles in the atmosphere and can influence everything from visibility and public health to weather patterns and climate processes. CAMS, operated by the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF), provides detailed forecasts and monitoring of atmospheric composition, including desert dust. By combining satellite observations with advanced atmospheric modelling, CAMS tracks how dust is lifted from the Sahara and transported across continents, helping authorities and researchers understand where and when impacts may occur. As a new Saharan dust plume develops and moves towards Europe, CAMS scientists are analysing its scale, trajectory, and potential …