First Ever Observations of Mineral Dust in Wintertime over Warsaw, Poland

The long-range transport of desert dust over the area of the temperate climate zone is associated with the influx of hot air masses due to the location of the sources of this aerosol in the tropical climate zone. Between 24-26 February 2021, such an aerosol outbreak took place and reached Central Europe. The mean temperature of +11.7 degrees C was recorded during the event. A comparison of this value to the 20-year (2000-2020) average February temperature for Warsaw (-0.2 degrees C) indicates the uniqueness of the meteorological conditions. It was the first wintertime inflow of Saharan dust over Warsaw, the presence of which was confirmed by lidar and sun-photometer measurements. The properties of the desert dust layers were obtained; the mean values of the particle depolarization for the fully developed mineral dust layer were 13 +/- 3% and 22 +/- 4% for 355 and 532 nm, respectively. The aerosol optical thickness was high with average values >0.36 for all wavelengths smaller than 500 nm. The three-modal, aerosol size distribution was dominated by coarse-mode particles, with a visible contribution of accumulation-mode particles. It suggests the possible presence of other aerosol types.

Automated summary

The study reveals the long-range transport of desert dust to the temperate climate zone due to the source location in the tropical climate zone. Between February 24-26, 2021, an aerosol outbreak occurred and reached Central Europe, resulting in unique meteorological conditions in Warsaw. The presence of Saharan dust inflow during winter in Warsaw was confirmed through lidar and sun-photometer measurements. The study also provides insights into the optical properties and size distribution of the aerosol.