Air Pollution in Europe in Early Spring

Spring is a great time to travel due to the nice weather. It is a perfect season to visit Europe and discover the most beautiful European destinations.

The information regarding air quality in Europe during the spring season may help people decide when is the best time to travel.

Unlike in some Asia countries where spring begins in early February and continues until early May, spring months in European countries generally include March, April, and May.

(Figure 1. Air pollution in Europe in early March 2018. Source: Berkeley Earth)

The starting date of spring varies according to local cultures and customs in different countries or in different years. For example, in Germany, the first day of spring is the astronomical vernal equinox (varying between 19 and 21 March).

In this post, air pollution across Europe in March and April 2018 was briefly overviewed, covering the transitional period from winter to spring and early spring in Europe. The Real-Time Map of Air Pollution was used to demonstrate the levels and patterns of air pollution.

In early March, near-pan-European air pollution was frequently evident, with unhealthy levels of air pollution in many areas (Figure 1, marked with red or brown color).

(Figure 2. Air pollution in Europe after spring started. Source: Berkeley Earth)

Since March 20, when spring started, air pollution in Europe seemed to have improved. Although near-pan-European air pollution was occasionally evident, the areas with unhealthy levels of air pollution were also significantly reduced (Figure 2), possibly due to climate change and decreased demand for coal-fired power for heating.

From March 30 to April 6, 2018, air quality was quite good in most areas across Europe (Figure 3), possibly because seasonal winds had driven away most of the air pollutants. However, air pollutant emissions may not have been much reduced.

(Figure 3. Air pollution in Europe in early April 2018, Source: Berkeley Earth)

The effects of seasonal winds on air quality were further supported by the significantly varied air pollution patterns observed in Europe in mid and late April (Figure 4). Unlike in March, persistently harmful air pollution became limited in Eastern Europe in April. Instead, air pollution emissions floated around Europe day-to-day. Overall, air pollution was improving there in early spring.