US Could Be Hit By Massive Saharan Dust Plume This Week: What You Need To Know
A vast Saharan dust cloud, the largest of its kind this year, is sweeping across the Caribbean and moving toward the southeastern United States, according to CBS News. Stretching approximately 2,000 miles from Jamaica to beyond Barbados and 750 miles from the Turks and Caicos Islands to Trinidad and Tobago, the dust has significantly reduced visibility and degraded air quality across the region.
Where and When It Will Hit
Dust was covering Cuba, Haiti, the Dominican Republic and other parts of the region on Tuesday, according to CBS Miami's NEXT Weather radar. The plume was forecast to move northwest and reach Florida mid-week, then hit other states including Georgia, the Carolinas, Texas and Louisiana by Friday.
A dust plume from Africa already made its way to Florida over the weekend, CBS Orlando affiliate WKMG reported. Radar showed dust lingering over the state on Monday.
By mid-week, a larger plume will be over Florida, affecting air quality in the state. It will then flow northward, radar shows, more widely affecting southeastern US states and the Gulf region.
According to hurricane experts cited by NBC News, a massive plume of Saharan dust is forecast to reach the southeastern United States later this week and into the weekend, specifically targeting states like Florida, Louisiana, Alabama, and Mississippi.
Understanding the Saharan Air Layer and Its Effects
This phenomenon occurs when the Saharan Air Layer, a dry and dusty mass of air, traverses the Atlantic Ocean from Africa, typically between April and October. Notably, this dust plume can suppress tropical wave formation during hurricane season, which spans from June 1 to November 30. Peak dust concentrations usually occur in June and July, with the plumes floating between 5,000 and 20,000 feet above the ground.
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Last Updated: A smaller plume reached Florida over the weekend and lingered into Monday while a more intense wave is now approaching. A massive Saharan dust plume, the largest of the year so far, is currently blanketing the Caribbean and is expected to reach the southeastern United States by the end of the week. Stretching nearly 2,000 miles from Jamaica to beyond Barbados and around 750 miles from the Turks and Caicos Islands down to Trinidad and Tobago, the huge plume has already led to reduced visibility and deteriorating air quality in affected areas. At present, the dust cloud covers large portions of the Caribbean, including Cuba, Haiti and the Dominican Republic. US To Be Hit By Saharan Dust Plume Forecasters said that the plume is drifting northwest and will begin impacting Florida by mid-week. By Friday this week, the dust is expected to spread further inland, reaching states such as Georgia, the Carolinas, Texas, Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi. A smaller plume reached Florida over the weekend and lingered into Monday while a more intense wave is now approaching and is forecast to affect a much wider region, forecasters warned. Weather and health officials advise people in affected areas, especially those with respiratory issues, to limit outdoor activity as the dust cloud moves through. What Is The Saharan Air Layer? The dust cloud is part of the Saharan Air Layer (SAL) which is a dry, dusty mass of air that typically travels from North Africa across the Atlantic between April and October. These plumes often reach their peak intensity in June and July and travel at altitudes ranging from 5,000 to 20,000 feet. While the dust can reduce air quality and visibility, it also plays a role in suppressing tropical storm development which helps during the Atlantic hurricane season that runs from June 1 to November 30. About the Author Mallika Soni When not reading, this ex-literature student can be found searching for an answer to the question, "What is the purpose of journalism in society?" First Published: June 04, 2025, 23:19 IST
NDTV
4 days ago
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US Could Be Hit By Massive Saharan Dust Plume This Week: What You Need To Know
A vast Saharan dust cloud, the largest of its kind this year, is sweeping across the Caribbean and moving toward the southeastern United States, according to CBS News. Stretching approximately 2,000 miles from Jamaica to beyond Barbados and 750 miles from the Turks and Caicos Islands to Trinidad and Tobago, the dust has significantly reduced visibility and degraded air quality across the region. Where and When It Will Hit Dust was covering Cuba, Haiti, the Dominican Republic and other parts of the region on Tuesday, according to CBS Miami's NEXT Weather radar. The plume was forecast to move northwest and reach Florida mid-week, then hit other states including Georgia, the Carolinas, Texas and Louisiana by Friday. A dust plume from Africa already made its way to Florida over the weekend, CBS Orlando affiliate WKMG reported. Radar showed dust lingering over the state on Monday. By mid-week, a larger plume will be over Florida, affecting air quality in the state. It will then flow northward, radar shows, more widely affecting southeastern US states and the Gulf region. According to hurricane experts cited by NBC News, a massive plume of Saharan dust is forecast to reach the southeastern United States later this week and into the weekend, specifically targeting states like Florida, Louisiana, Alabama, and Mississippi. Understanding the Saharan Air Layer and Its Effects This phenomenon occurs when the Saharan Air Layer, a dry and dusty mass of air, traverses the Atlantic Ocean from Africa, typically between April and October. Notably, this dust plume can suppress tropical wave formation during hurricane season, which spans from June 1 to November 30. Peak dust concentrations usually occur in June and July, with the plumes floating between 5,000 and 20,000 feet above the ground.
