Saharan dust and unseasonable heat cocktail hits Greece

Dust from the Sahara Desert has shrouded parts of Greece in recent days, whipped up by strong winds.

It's not a new phenomenon - but this time it's got scientists worried, as it coincides with unusually high temperatures.

Thick clouds of Saharan dust have blown in from North Africa - making breathing difficult for many people.

"The combination of the Saharan dust, high temperatures, and the tiny particles in the air that cause allergies during the spring leads many who suffer from bronchial asthma to exacerbate their condition and, in many cases, force them to be hospitalized," Professor of Pulmonology, University of Crete Medical School, Nikolaos Tzanakis told CGTN.

It's not only those with existing breathing conditions who should be concerned. There are warnings for the wider public - and the return of some familiar advice - to avoid unnecessary travel. It's also recommended to wear KN95 protective masks, as during the pandemic.

Much of Greece has turned various shades of yellow these past few days, creating an intense yellow cloud over major cities.

But it's not only the Saharan dust that is abnormal this time around; temperatures are unusually high, with the thermometer in some areas passing 30 degrees, causing scientists headaches about what could follow.

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"It is difficult to know what the summer would look like, as we still have three months ahead of us. However, if we consider climate change indicators, temperatures will be higher than usual," meteorologist Christina Rigou told CGTN. "Especially in the southeast Mediterranean area."

She added: "From now on, we will experience more intense heat waves, including this summer. I wish my predictions would be off, but according to my data, it doesn't seem like it," she added.

While the dust is expected to recede and the temperatures set to drop over the coming days, there are warnings for more hot weather ahead.

Last year was the warmest on record and with temperatures already in the 30s, scientists worry that we could be in for another record-breaking summer.

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