Massive Saharan dust plumes will spice up Florida's sunsets starting on Saturday

Yahoo

6 days ago

Two massive plumes of Saharan dust are making their way toward the Gulf from the Atlantic. The first will reach South Florida by Saturday before scattering. The second plume will reach the Florida Panhandle near the end of next week, according to AccuWeather.
Saharan dust is a natural phenomenon that occurs every year, typically starting late in the spring and ending in the early fall. It's characterized as a mass of dry, dusty air called the Saharan Air Layer (SAL), and it can help limit storm development as it coincides with hurricane season.
Most people aren't likely to notice when Saharan dust reaches them. This time will be no different as AccuWeather meteorologists predict that the dust is likely to float around in the upper atmosphere.
Saharan dust, also referred to as the Saharan Dust Layer (SAL), is an outbreak of dust from the Sahara Desert that has been kicked up about a mile into the air by tropical waves in the Atlantic.
The layer of dust is about 2 to 2.5 miles thick, according to NOAA, and consists of warmth, dryness and strong winds that carry it westward over the Atlantic to North America. When plumes get large enough, it can impact the lower 48 states.
The first, smaller dust plume will reach South Florida on Saturday but will scatter as it approaches the Gulf Coast, according to a NASA forecast model.
The larger plume of Saharan dust will engulf the entire state of Florida, stretching eastward across Louisiana into Texas and northward into Georgia, by June 4.
A good Florida sunset can stop anyone dead in their tracks, and next weekend will probably be full of them—provided the weather holds up.
Given how high in the atmosphere Saharan dust sits, it can create vibrant sunsets and sunrises due to the way it scatters sunlight. During the day, at most, the sky could have a hazy white appearance if there are large enough quantities.
Satellite imagery shows that the lighter plume of Saharan dust is currently spread out along the Caribbean Sea. The second plume has extended just off the western African coast.
Saharan dust, more often than not, sticks to the upper atmosphere, where it poses little threat. When the dust does fall, its effects are similar to any other type of dust.
People who already experience underlying lung conditions are at increased risk of complications.
According to the American Lung Association, wheezing and coughing could be indications that you're experiencing elevated levels of dust exposure. To protect yourself, you should stay indoors and wear a face covering if you have to go outside.
Storms and Saharan dust tend not to play well together. In the Atlantic, hurricanes often start as tropical waves that form off the western African coast, following the same trail as the SAL.
It's a tough journey for the wave that requires a lot of warm water and moist air to fuel it. Enough Saharan dust in the atmosphere can interrupt this process by stealing all of the moisture, providing Caribbean and Gulf Coast residents some relief during hurricane season.
This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Massive Saharan dust plumes will bring vibrant Florida sunsets