Mars weather features extreme winds and global dust storms

Mars experiences extreme weather phenomena, including wind gusts reaching 150 km/h and global dust storms. While the planet features high-altitude and orographic clouds similar to Earth, its atmospheric characteristics differ significantly due to its lower mass and gravity, which is only 38% of Earth's.

The Martian atmosphere is primarily composed of carbon dioxide (approximately 96%), with nitrogen and argon each making up about 2%. Trace gases, including molecular oxygen, carbon monoxide, and water vapour, account for less than 1%. Despite the high concentration of CO2, the atmosphere's low density results in a minimal greenhouse effect, leading to a global average surface temperature of around -60°C.

Visual observations from various landers and rovers, such as the Viking missions and the Perseverance/Ingenuity missions, reveal a salmon-coloured sky influenced by suspended fine dust. This dust concentration also results in bluish-coloured sunsets on the planet.