UPDATED: Cyprus covered in dust clouds: The Unusual Weather Explained

A cloud of fine dust was left hanging over Cyprus since Monday September 7th. The air was very still and temperatures unseasonably high as a fine yellow dust, that could have been mistaken for mist, lurked over land and sea.

The source was a major dust storm over Libya; the increased frequency and intensity of these dust storms is a sign of climate change?

In what has become an almost constant occurrence in Libya during , a thick plume of dust blows across the northern part of the country and out over the Mediterranean. - Dust storm over Libya

A Meteorological Service official said the dust has come from Syria and Libya and is expected to remain swirling around Cyprus, at different concentrations, until the end of the week.

Questions on whether the dust storm will affect flights in and out of Cyprus has been put to rest by the Cyprus News Agency which says though the Airport operations centers are monitoring the situation closely but flights will not be affected.

Drivers were warned to take care whilst driving yesterday as visibility dropped to a minimum. People with breathing difficulties and asthma have been warned to stay indoors.

UPDATE2: KP Daily News is reporting that the sand storm came in from Saudi Arabia...

UPDATE3:  Kibris Postasi -

"Meteorologists have warned people in Cyprus to prepare for another dust-filled day fuelled by high temperatures with Nicosia set to hit 41’C.

Head of the Met Office Raif Ilker Buran indicated that this was the first time in 14 years that the country was blanketted by intense dust.

Buran said that the last time such intense sandstorm had affected the country was in 2001. He said they frequently experienced dust from Libya or Egypt but had not been under such intense conditions as now.

The Met Office boss said that the sandstorm had reached the coast of Turkey as well and it is expected to remain until tomorrow. Buran said they did not expect any rainfaill and said it should clear through winds.

Meanwhile department chief of the TC Civil Aviation Authorities Air Traffic Control Ali Uzunyayla said that flights from Ercan were continuing uninhibited. He said that none of the flights had been cancelled yesterday due to the weather but delays were encountered which happen normally.

Warnings are continuing for people with breathing issues and difficulties to remain indoors."

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