Analysis of Saharan dust intrusions into the Carpathian Basin (Central Europe) over the period of 1979-2011

► 130 Saharan dust events (SDEs) were identified in the Carpathian Basin (CB) atmosphere from 1979 to 2011 ► Spring and summer are the typical seasons of SDEs ► SDEs can be classified in three main types based on synoptic meteorological conditions ► Saharan dust could have played a role in loess and red clay sedimentation of the CB during the Plio-Pleistocene