Atmospheric deserts are air masses from the boundary layer of desert regions. This study tracked them from North Africa to Europe during a two-year period (May 2022–April 2024). They can occur up to 60 % of the time, and can span large parts of Europe. They typically last about a day, and can alter the atmosphere throughout the free troposphere. On its way from Africa the air either rises and may become even warmer and drier, or it stays at mid-altitudes and cools, or retains its properties.