Florida residents warned ‘dirty rain' could fall as large Saharan dust plume is making its way to area
MIAMI – A large wave of Saharan dust making its way across the Atlantic Basin is forecast to arrive in the U.S. later this week, impacting the Southeast with hazy skies and 'dirty rain.'
NOAA estimates that more than 180 million tons of dust leave the African continent every year, and the extremely dry air reduces thunderstorm activity and tropical cyclone formation.
Saharan dust has taken over nearly the entire Atlantic Basin, according to NOAA satellites. One of the larger waves of concentrated dust approached the Caribbean on Monday. By Thursday, this thick plume is forecast to enter the Gulf of America, over the Florida Keys and cover much of the Sunshine State. Another round of dust will move in along the northern Gulf Coast by Friday and head into the Southeast.
According to the FOX Forecast Center, the primary impacts will be a hazy sky and reduced visibility. Dust has also been known to reduce air quality, but that is not expected this week.
NOAA satellites are tracking the Saharan Dust Layer as it wafts across the Atlantic Basin. The plume is forecast to arrive in Florida, the Gulf Coast and the Southeast on Thursday with effects lasting into the weekend.
FOX Weather
Silhouetted people on Fort Myers Beach at sunset under a large rain cloud.
tunedin – stock.adobe.com
However, there is also a positive aspect to dust plumes. As the larger dust particles scatter visible light, longer wavelengths like red, orange and pink will make for vibrant sunrises and sunsets.
The Southeast will likely see these until the dust is swept north and disperses.
With rain forecast across the Gulf Coast this weekend, the FOX Forecast Center is also tracking how the dust interacts with the moisture. If the timing lines up, 'dirty rain' could include dust particles leaving a layer of dust on surfaces once the rain dries.
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