Wondering if Saharan dust is affecting your air quality? See latest conditions in Florida
Saharan dust that traveled across the Atlantic Ocean has reached Florida and is expected to spread across the Gulf Coast and Southeast.
The "wall of dust" is forecast to bring hazy skies to the Sunshine State, which will be balanced by vivid sunrises and sunsets.
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The dust plume isn't unusual. Activity usually ramps up in mid-June, peaks from late June to mid-August, and begins to subside after mid-August, which is when tropical cyclone activity ramps up until mid-October.
The dust inhibits the development of tropical cyclones in the Atlantic basin and helps prevent strengthening of any existing storms.
Can't see the map? Open in a new browser and zoom in to your location.
On June 5, most of Florida was showing moderate air quality conditions, although there were several cities with good conditions.
The U.S. Air Quality Index is a tool used by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to communicate outdoor air quality and health.
"The higher the index value, the greater the level of air pollution and the greater the health concern," AirNow.gov said. "When AQI — Air Quality Index — values are above 100, air quality is unhealthy: at first for certain sensitive groups of people, then for everyone as AQI values get higher."
The index includes six color-coded categories to make it easy to quickly see whether air quality is reaching unhealthy levels:
Green: Air quality is satisfactory, and air pollution poses little or no risk.
Yellow: Air quality is acceptable. However, there may be a risk for some people, particularly those who are unusually sensitive to air pollution.
Orange: Members of sensitive groups may experience health effects. The general public is less likely to be affected.
Red: Some members of the general public may experience health effects; members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects.
Purple: Health alert: The risk of health effects is increased for everyone.
Maroon: Health warning of emergency conditions. Everyone is more likely to be affected.
We provide weather coverage as conditions warrant to keep you informed and prepared.
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This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Florida air quality: Saharan dust, hazy skies, interactive map
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