Just east of Mexico City, the Popocatepetl volcano erupted a cloud of ash and vapor 2 miles (3 kilometers) high over several days of eruptions.  Mexico City residents awoke Saturday to find a fine layer of volcanic dust on their cars.  The Mexican Volcano eruption continues today.

According to Mexico's National Center for Disaster Prevention, there were been three explosive eruptions at the peak late Friday and early Saturday.  These events usually toss glowing-hot rock on the volcano's flanks. It said that the Mexican Volcano eruption has also continuously spewed clouds of ash into the air, most of which was headed northwest, toward Mexico City.

Watch Mexico Volcano Eruption Video report here:

Usually Mexico City does not see a noticeable ash fall because the prevailing winds blow the volcanic dust in the other direction. There was ash fall earlier this week in some neighborhoods on Mexico City's south and east sides.

The city's car washers wiped the fine coating from cars on Saturday with no apparent ill effects.

According to Claudia Dominguez, spokeswoman for the Mexico City civil defense office,  the very fine ash had likely been floating around the city from eruptions in previous days, and been brought to Earth by a rainfall late Friday.  No new ash fall was reported Saturday, despite continuous eruptions of vapor and ash into the air from the 15,000-foot (5,450 meter) volcano.

Mexico's National Center for Disaster Prevention raised the volcano alert from Stage 2 Yellow to Stage 3 Yellow.  This is the final step before a Red alert, when possible evacuations could be ordered. A Stage 3 Yellow alert was previously in effect during eruptions earlier this year until early June.

According to the Associated Press, U.S. airlines canceled at least one flight at Mexico City's airport on Friday as a precautionary measure. However, airport authorities said the terminal was fully able to operate. Alaska Airlines cancelled its route to Los Angeles, the airport press office said on Twitter.

Four airlines cancelled a total of 17 flights on Friday "due to climate conditions and in accordance with their own internal policies," the airport said in a statement.

The volcano is about 40 miles (65 kilometers) from the airport.

The Environment Ministry urged residents to take preventive measures to deal with the ash, such as staying indoors, wearing dust masks, and covering water supplies.