Saharan dust transport by Mediterranean cyclones causing mud rain in Istanbul

North Africa is the largest dust source on Earth. Mediterranean cyclones occasionally transport Saharan dust to Turkey in late winter and early spring, leading to mud rain events in some regions. Two mud rain events which occurred in Istanbul on 11 February 2010 and 8 March 2010 were simulated using the WRF-ARW mesoscale model. Met Office analysis charts, backward trajectories, ground based observations, and satellite images from EUMETSAT Meteosat Second Generation were examined to explain the underlying mechanisms.