When is Saharan dust expected to reach Texas? Track when hazy skies hit your area

Yahoo

5 days ago

Put the white shirts back in the closet and grab your masks and shades — Saharan dust is rolling into Texas this week.
The dust, drifting westward across the Atlantic, is expected to bring hazy skies and reduced air quality to parts of the state in the coming days.
While the heaviest concentrations are forecast for the southeastern U.S., the eastern half of Texas — particularly the stretch from Houston to Dallas — will still experience dust-filled skies beginning this weekend. Fortunately for Texans, the dust won't be as dense as what's expected in other states, but it can still be uncomfortable for those with respiratory issues.
A light layer of Saharan dust is expected to settle over South Texas on Monday, drifting north into the Dallas-Fort Worth area by Tuesday. Conditions should clear briefly on Wednesday before a thicker wave moves in Thursday and Friday, a radar from CBS News shows. Another round is possible over the weekend or early next week.
(Courtesy: CBS News / Saharan Dust Forecast)
This refers to the dust carried by winds across the Atlantic from the Sahara Desert. Thunderstorms in the Sahara region stir up dust and push it into the atmosphere. The dust is then transported across the Atlantic and deposited in the Caribbean, Central America, and South America. While it primarily affects Puerto Rico, it can also reach states such as Florida and Texas.
According to the CDC, Saharan dust transported to the United States is a normal occurrence, especially from late June to mid-August.
You might expect colorful sunrises and sunsets, hazy afternoon skies, poor air quality, and sometimes allergy symptoms.
Although dust concentrations are not particularly high at the moment, they will still have some impact as they reach urban areas. Sahara dust will also inhibit thunderstorm development and increase daytime temperatures by keeping the skies dry and trapping heat close to the ground.
According to the CDC, Saharan dust can be harmful as air quality becomes poor. As particulate matter and concentration in the air increase, this can be harmful when inhaled, entering the lungs and bloodstream and affecting individuals with allergies, respiratory complications, and asthma.
Large particles from Sahara dust can also cause skin and eye irritation, the CDC said. It is recommended to stay inside as much as possible and avoid outdoor activities.
Among potential symptoms are:
Allergy problems.
Skin and eye irritation.
Sore throat.
Respiratory issues.
The 2025 Atlantic hurricane season is officially here, as June 1 marks the annual start.
While dry, dusty air from the Saharan plume is likely to weaken or inhibit hurricane formation, experts believe it may have actually contributed to the rapid development of Hurricane Beryl last year.
Record-high ocean temperatures helped fuel Beryl's transformation into a Category 5 hurricane, and its proximity to the plume, which can carry substantial moisture, provided one of the key ingredients for tropical cyclone development.
Beryl made history for its swift development before striking Matagorda, Texas. The storm intensified from a tropical storm to a major hurricane in less than two days, with wind speeds increasing by 65 mph in just 24 hours and 95 mph in under 48 hours — one of the earliest and fastest examples of rapid intensification ever recorded in the Atlantic.
This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Saharan dust tracker: Hazy skies expected this week in Texas