"Sign of the End of the World?"... The Identity of the Sudden 'Blood Rain' from the Sky

Recently, red rain known as “Blood Rain” has been observed in parts of Europe, drawing attention to its causes. While some users on social networking services (SNS) have reacted by asking if this is a sign of the end of the world, likening it to a scene from a disaster film, experts explain that it is a natural phenomenon caused by dust blown in from the Sahara Desert.

Blood Rain discovered on Hormuz Island, Iran. Screenshot from SNS

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According to Fox Weather News on March 9 (local time), after red-tinged rain fell in Southern European regions such as Spain and Portugal on the 7th, similar phenomena were also observed in France and the United Kingdom. This is analyzed as being caused by dust generated in the African Sahara Desert, which traveled northward and reached the skies over Southern Europe.

“Blood Rain” refers to the phenomenon where rainwater appears red due to the presence of fine sand and mineral particles. The dust produced in the Sahara Desert rises into the upper atmosphere on strong winds and, during its movement, mixes with raindrops, which causes the color to change.

Meteorologists also refer to this as “mud rain” or “dirty rain.” In Southern Europe, which is close to Africa, this is a relatively common natural phenomenon that occurs several times each year under certain weather conditions.

Blood Rain is mainly observed in North Africa and Southern Europe near the Sahara Desert, but it can occur anywhere adjacent to desert areas. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in the United States reports that more than 180 million tons of dust are released into the atmosphere from the African continent every year.

The dust clouds originating in the Sahara Desert even affect the United Kingdom. In fact, in Northolt, West London, temperatures are expected to reach 19.2 degrees Celsius on the 12th due to the inflow of dust clouds.

Experts warn that rain accompanied by desert dust can worsen air quality and should be approached with caution. Fine mineral particles floating in the air can aggravate respiratory or cardiovascular diseases. Experts especially advise people with respiratory conditions to take special care when going outdoors.

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