Sahara Sands in France: Is Your Region Affected?


We know that the slightest drop of rain can shake our rail network, but what about sand? As for infrastructure, there's nothing to worry about a priori! The dust transported is too fine to cause significant abrasion. Cars may get dirty, but no structural risks have been reported. However, there are risks from an air quality perspective. Several regions, notably the Hautes-Alpes and Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, have triggered an "information-recommendations" alert due to suspended PM10 particles. The mixture of Canadian smoke and Saharan sand makes the air more opaque, less pure, and significantly impairs visibility. Therefore, local authorities are calling for caution, especially for seniors, children, and asthmatics. It is recommended to avoid intense physical exertion, keep windows closed, and limit outdoor activity during the day.
Planet.fr