Have you taken advantage of the weekend to go for a walk and found your car covered in mud? After a quick break from the heat, the cold returns to Portugal, hit by “mud rains”. ABOUT CM spoke with Patricia Gomes, a meteorologist at the Portuguese Institute of the Sea and the Atmosphere (IPMA), who clarified what causes this phenomenon.
According to the expert, the “mud rains” are the result of a combination of precipitation and dust from North Africa that has since settled to the surface.
“Dust [vindas do norte de África] We reached mainland Portugal on Friday afternoon, and by the end of the day, precipitation began to fall in the northern and central regions of the country. This dust settled on the surface, which immediately left the cars with a layer of dirt. rains,” he explains.
The situation is expected to continue until late Saturday before easing due to a cold frontal surface that will move dust deeper into the Iberian Peninsula. According to the meteorologist, although this phenomenon may cause some concern, no serious events have been recorded.
Health authorities recommend that the public preferably stay at home, wear a mask when going out and avoid outdoor exercise.