Between April 11th and 13th, 2026, BAQUNIN successfully characterized a major Saharan dust transport event. By combining remote sensing and in-situ measurements, the observatory provided a comprehensive view of the plume’s evolution from the upper troposphere to the surface.

The RAP Lidar Range Corrected Signal (Figure 1) captured the descent of the aerosol mass. Initially detected at high altitudes (8-12 km) on April 11th, the dust layer gradually subsided over the following 48 hours, eventually merging into the planetary boundary layer.

The arrival at ground level was precisely quantified by the recently installed GRIMM EDM 280 sampler (Figure 2). While air quality remained stable during the first two days, a dramatic surge in mass concentrations was recorded on April 13th. PM10 levels peaked well above 150 µg/m³, while the fine fraction (PM1) remained constant, confirming the mineral and coarse nature of the particles.

The desert origin was confirmed by HYSPLIT backward trajectories (Figure 3), which trace the air masses arriving over Rome directly back to North African source regions within a 72-hour window.

Science tip: If you noticed a thin orange layer on your car this morning, these plots explain why. You might want to wait a few more days before heading to the car wash!