Severe dust storm strikes eastern Libya, turning skies eerie red

A severe dust storm swept over eastern Libya on April 23, 2024, turning the skies over Darnah an eerie red.

A strong desert depression, accompanied by winds over 70 km/h (44 mph) produced a severe dust storm over eastern parts of the country, particularly over Darnah (Derna) on April 23, turning skies over the city into eerie red and significantly limiting visibility.

Saharan dust clouds reached Greece and Turkey on the same day and continued moving toward Bulgaria and Romania and further NE.

A system over the Mediterranean Sea brings snow to the Alps and dust storms to Libya.

Comparing these two products can help scientists locate regions of dust. pic.twitter.com/MhbI4uCbxG

— CIRA (@CIRA_CSU) April 23, 2024

That's no filter! A dust storm engulfed parts of eastern Libya today, casting a red glow and prompting warnings due to low visibility. pic.twitter.com/9aYWmmrLqD

— AccuWeather (@accuweather) April 23, 2024

لا إله إلا الله ‼️
عاصفة حمراء تضوي مدينتي بنغازي و طبرق في #ليبيا الان
23-4-2024#Libya #sandstorm
https://t.co/W1sjfxdsqm

— طقس_العالم ⚡️ (@Arab_Storms) April 23, 2024

ي مدينة #درنة التي تعرضت للسيول المدمره في سيبتمبر الماضي حاليا تتعرض لعاصفة حمراء شديدة
23-4-2024
Darna- Libya pic.twitter.com/kN9JXEbTSj

— طقس_العالم ⚡️ (@Arab_Storms) April 23, 2024

Vuelos suspendidos debido a una poderosa tormenta de polvo en el aeropuerto de Benina, en Bengasi, Libia

https://t.co/oDK9URLLfM pic.twitter.com/Ay1Z1gDOro

— Centinela35 (@Centinela_35) April 23, 2024

The videos below were captured from Athens, Greece.

Athens, Greece 23/04/2024

“What’s going on – I never saw this – It’s completely Orange – the Sun should be there” pic.twitter.com/kQWT26OOOX

— Concerned Citizen (@BGatesIsaPyscho) April 23, 2024

Saharan dust turned the sky into a vibrant orange across Athens, Greece
▪︎ 23 April 2024 ▪︎#Greece #Athens pic.twitter.com/2lKVFwCiYv

— DISASTER TRACKER (@DisasterTrackHQ) April 23, 2024

Libiya’s National Center of Meteorology expects the depression to move toward the Egyptian territory on Wednesday, April 24, with winds gradually shifting northwesterly.

A drop in temperatures is expected on Wednesday over most of the eastern and southern regions and a proliferation of clouds over some regions of the northeast, while the weather will be relatively cold in the northern regions. Wind speed will decrease on Wednesday in most areas of the country with an improvement in weather conditions.

Featured image: Dust storm over Libya on April 23, 2024. Credit: NASA Aqua/MODIS, The Watchers