The Ministry of Environment, Housing, and Land Planning recommends taking precautionary measures due to the prediction of high concentrations of dust particles in the air coming from North Africa starting from the afternoon of June 9 until Wednesday, June 11 throughout the territory of Castilla y León. It is advisable to avoid physical activities for at-risk groups and sensitive individuals, as well as outdoor burning of plant debris.
June 9, 2025
Castilla y León | Ministry of Environment, Housing, and Land Planning
Prediction models announce the intrusion of dust particles from North Africa, which are expected to increase the measured levels of these substances in the air from today, June 9 in the afternoon until Wednesday, June 11, throughout the territory of Castilla y León. This is a completely natural process over which there is no human intervention, except for taking precautions to minimize exposure to these particles.
This alert is predictive, as the information is available through air quality models for PM10 particles (particles smaller than 10 microns). The prediction indicates that values may reach above 50 μg/m3 as a 24-hour moving average, determining very unfavorable air quality.
Although the Air Quality regulations in Spain and Europe do not establish an information threshold to the population for this pollutant, the Ministry of Environment, Housing, and Land Planning, in an effort to minimize the impact of these particles, recommends:
- If the levels are not very high (up to regular): for the general population, although the air quality expected during these hours may not affect them, it may present a moderate risk for at-risk groups and sensitive individuals. Therefore, enjoy your outdoor activities normally. However, monitor the appearance of symptoms such as cough, throat irritation, shortness of breath, excessive fatigue, or palpitations.
- If the levels are higher (>regular), individuals from at-risk groups and sensitive individuals, such as those with cardiovascular or respiratory diseases or severe allergies, should consider reducing prolonged and vigorous outdoor activities. People with asthma or respiratory diseases should carefully follow their medication plan. People with heart problems may experience palpitations, difficulty breathing, or unusual fatigue.
Since the magnitude of the intrusion will vary depending on the time of day and in the coming days, it is recommended that anyone planning outdoor activities be informed about the air quality in their area by accessing the websites indicated below.
Additionally, it is advisable to avoid activities such as outdoor burning of plant debris and, in general, any activity that may emit particles in order to minimize the effects of this episode.
The Ministry of Environment, Housing, and Land Planning will monitor this episode, and real-time air quality data for the region can be consulted at:
Ministry of Environment, Housing, and Land Planning
Ministry for Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge
European Environment Agency
APP «ICA Air Quality Index» available on the APP Store
For the interpretation of real-time data and in accordance with Order TEC/351/2019, of March 18, approving the National Air Quality Index, the reference values, as daily averages, would be as follows:
Particles smaller than 2.5 microns (PM2.5)
- Good 0-10 μg/m3
- Reasonably good 11-20 μg/m3
- Regular 21-25 μg/m3
- Unfavorable 26-50 μg/m3
- Very unfavorable 51-75 μg/m3
- Extremely unfavorable 76-800 μg/m3
Particles smaller than 10 microns (PM10)
- Good 0-20 μg/m3
- Reasonably good 21-40 μg/m3
- Regular 41-50 μg/m3
- Unfavorable 51-100 μg/m3
- Very unfavorable 101-150 μg/m3
- Extremely unfavorable 151-1200 μg/m3