Red rain to fall in Serbia again soon, experts explain whether it's dangerous: Sun is "sending" heavy elements

Photo: Profimedia/Europa Press/ABACA

According to experts, the red rain that fell two weeks ago contained sand from the Sahara desert. The air was very polluted in those days. Are the two facts related or are they just a combination of circumstances? Meteorologists are announcing that more red rain will fall again in only a few days.

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On March 16, when red rain fell in Belgrade, there were as many as 14.3 times more suspended particles in the air than is allowed. However, experts claim that the rain of this kind is merely a natural phenomenon that mostly occurs in spring and fall, and we see it several times a year, RTS reports.

"That is a southern and southwestern current that comes from North Africa and transports Saharan sand in the mid and upper layers of the troposphere under the influence of jets or strong winds, and when water vapor condenses, it falls with the rain and we see the residue most often on cars, laundry, balconies, windows," said Goran Mihajlovic, assistant director of the Republic Hydrometeorological Institute (RHMZ).

Although it is middy, yellow or red to the eye, some even call it the solar wind. Opinions are divided on whether it is harmful for people's health if we happen to be outside for a long time while this rain is falling.

"Can it be dangerous? Of course, for example, tornadoes, hurricanes are the most dangerous sandstorms and the most dangerous natural phenomena, especially since they contain iron," explained Milan Stevanovic, an electrical engineer.

Mihajlović believes that there is no danger (in this type of rain) and that it is a natural phenomenon, and in that sense it is not dangerous for human health.

The sun is "sending" all types of chemical elements toward Earth. The particles of this sand are small, their size is between five to 10 micrometers and they can contain iron.

"These days, the sun is sending heavy chemical elements our way, because the activity of the sun is extremely strong. These heavy chemical elements cause tornadoes, strong winds, floods and everything we experience on Earth, as well as earthquakes," said Stevanovic.

On the other hand, some other experts are of the opinion that increased solar activity disinfects the atmosphere and that one of the reasons for the coronavirus pandemic was extremely low solar activity.

As things stand, there will be more work for car washing businesses, because meteorologists are forecasting more muddy rain for the next few days.

(Telegraf.rs)