I saw the air quality alert on Apple Weather but didn’t connect this to Calima/Sahara dust. The areas which are worst hit are up in the mountains. I assume this means early end of the ski season?
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Ahhhh! Mystery solved! I was standing at the window earlier, mug of tea in hand, wondering why it was so misty for the last couple of days. 
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Sahara dust is generally good for plants and acts as a natural fertilizer, providing essential nutrients like phosphorus, iron, and potassium. Millions of tons of this nutrient-rich dust travel across the Atlantic, helping fertilize the Amazon rainforest and soils in the Americas. While it benefits soil, the dust can cause temporary issues by coating leaves and reducing photosynthesis.
Yeah, it’s great for your lungs, too.
So far doesn’t seem to have turned the pistes orange, at least not here in the east and not more than a tiny amount. ATM everything that was good a few days ago (basically everything north facing / above 1,400m or so) is still fine as of an hour or so ago.
I can barely see the tops of the mountains back-of-valley. OH reported mushy going on the slopes on Tuesday–he quit at noon. Native neighbours–fervent skiiers–say it’s slushy even on the higher slopes, and that many NL who don’t know what they are doing are trying to get their last licks in before end-of-season. (Sorry–just reporting–don’t shoot the messenger!) Rescue heli very busy.
The Limmat is running pretty full now. Which shows alot of snow melt. Wooppee!
Oh, it’s great to see snowmelt so early…what could go wrong?? 
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18.9 outdoors, 26.5 indoors.
You know that rain has been forecast when the farmers start spreading muck on the fields.
When I looked we have rain forecast for Wednesday evening do we’ll have to put up with the smell until then.
It’s been lovely and warm and sunny
Blazing sun today, snow melting fast. All the Sahara dust has dissipated, so it doesn’t look like Dubai anymore.
and the first bumblebees are emerging from their nests!
I’m happy for the spring weather. Was in T-shirt this week and resisted the urge to put on shorts. I already felt a bit out of place walking around in t-shirt while everyone else was still wrapped up in scarves and winter clothing.
And we have rain. Do need some as it’s been a while since we had any.
Nice steady drizzle, not torrential downpours we have had recently.
I was just getting to the top of the hill with the bike when the rain came. I ended up with mud from head to toes. Not a complain, this is mountain bike life haha
The rain was not that cold. Only a bit cold, but not grinding my teeth cold haha
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and the sahara dust has gone.
Quite some snow expected in Ticino:
And it’s snowing now. 