Massive cloud of dust from the Saharan Desert is headed for Florida
Massive cloud of dust from the Saharan Desert is headed for Florida
Show Caption
Hide Caption
Saharan dust cloud hits Gulf Coast this week
Satellite images captured the dust from the Sahara Desert cross the Atlantic Ocean. It's set to hit the Gulf Coast this week.
A massive cloud of dust that has traveled thousands of miles from the Saharan Desert is expected to reach Florida as early as June 4 before spreading through the Gulf Coast and Southeast later in the week, forecasters said.
Most of the dust, which is thought to be about 2,000 miles wide from west to east and 750 miles long from north to south, will remain high in the atmosphere and have little effect on air quality and health for most people, according to AccuWeather. Floridians could start to see hazy or colorful sunrises and sunsets midweek.
'This is the biggest Saharan dust plume that we've seen so far this year. It is very common to see large plumes of Saharan dust coming across the Atlantic toward the United States in June and July,' AccuWeather Lead Hurricane Expert Alex DaSilva said. 'Many people will notice more colorful sunrises and sunsets, and a milky or hazy look in the sky.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Hot and humid weekend with the potential for strong Sunday storms
NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) – Highs in the low 90s this afternoon. Mostly sunny skies to start off the day with a few clouds beginning to develop around lunch time. Chance or isolated shower activity for the afternoon and early evening. Shower chances come to a close ahead of sunset. Saharan dust makes an appearance this Saturday. Milky skies will be seen as the dust particles scatter more of the sunlight. A trough passing through the central U.S. dips southward on Sunday. This is likely to trigger thunderstorm development as early as Sunday afternoon. While this will provide some relief from the heat, they will have have the potential to be strong or even severe. Unlike the rain that we have seen the past few afternoons, Sunday's storm chances will have a different origin, forming from a different reason. The greater upper level support along with our hot and humid environment is what gives these storms on Sunday a bit more potency compared to the 'pop-up' showers we have seen all week. Greater potential for storms will be on the north shore. We turn to a more active weather pattern next week. Many chances for showers and storms. This allows for temperatures to fall out of the spotlight with highs in the 80s. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Orlando weather: Heat and humidity spike with feels-like temps over 100 degrees
The Brief It will be hot and muggy, with highs in the low 90s on Friday in Central Florida. Scattered afternoon storms are expected, some could be severe. Saharan dust will reduce air quality and cause haze. The weekend will be mostly dry and hot. There is only a 20%-40% chance of late-day storms. What to expect ORLANDO, Fla. - Today will be hotter and downright MUGGY, with highs in the low 90s and a feels-like temperature of 103°. Central Florida can expect scattered afternoon storms, and a few could be severe with damaging wind gusts. Saharan dust won't be quite as thick but will still be present, reducing air quality and adding a haze to the sky. Storms will dissipate after 9 p.m., and it will remain warm and muggy. Little rain is expected Saturday and Sunday, but abundant heat will make for a "true summer weekend" — great for the pool or beach. There is only a 20% to 40% chance of a late-day storm. Looking ahead Next week, the rainy season establishes in full swing, with likely afternoon storm chances as the sea breeze with highs in the low 90s. The tropics remain quiet and should stay quiet for a while in the Atlantic basin. Track live when storms move across your area using the FOX 35 Storm Tracker Radar below. Brevard County Flagler County Lake County Marion County Osceola County Orange County Polk County Seminole County Sumter County Volusia County U.S./National Radar STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 35 ORLANDO: Download the FOX Local app for breaking news alerts, the latest news headlines Download the FOX 35 Storm Team Weather app for weather alerts & radar Sign up for FOX 35's daily newsletter for the latest morning headlines FOX Local:Stream FOX 35 newscasts, FOX 35 News+, Central Florida Eats on your smart TV The Source This story was written based on information shared by the FOX 35 Storm Team on June 6, 2025.
Newsweek
2 hours ago
- Newsweek
Potential Tropical Storm Barbara Chances at Forming More Than Double
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Chances for a developing tropical system off the southern Pacific coast of Mexico to become Tropical Storm Barbara have more than doubled in recent days, according to updates from the National Hurricane Center (NHC). As the storm strengthens, it could sap energy from another system to its east, AccuWeather senior meteorologist John Feerick told Newsweek, or the two systems could combine themselves. Why It Matters The rapid increase in the likelihood of storm formation comes during the early weeks of the Eastern Pacific hurricane season, which runs from May 15 to November 30. Forecasters suggested that storms forming in this basin can bring significant rainfall and thunderstorms not only to Mexico but also to the U.S. Southwest, potentially influencing the region's summer monsoon. With the NHC monitoring multiple disturbances and AccuWeather predicting an active season, the prospect of Barbara highlights the importance of preparedness in hurricane-prone areas. The National Hurricane Center is monitoring two potential systems in the Eastern Pacific. The National Hurricane Center is monitoring two potential systems in the Eastern Pacific. National Hurricane Center What To Know As of Friday morning, experts at the NHC assigned an 80 percent probability that the disturbance will organize into a named storm within the next week, up from just 30 percent the day prior. If it forms, Barbara would become the second named system of the 2025 Eastern Pacific hurricane season, following Tropical Storm Alvin. The system, identified as a broad area of low pressure, formed west of another system also being tracked for potential tropical development by the NHC. The western system's development has outpaced the one closer to Mexico. Continued development is likely, the NHC said, adding that a tropical depression will likely form over the weekend or early next week as the system moves west-northwestward. As of the latest NHC update, the system closer to Mexico also has a high chance of development in the next week at 70 percent. The Eastern Pacific hurricane season began earlier than the Atlantic and Central Pacific seasons. The basin historically sees its first storm around June 10, but early formations are not unusual, as AccuWeather Lead Hurricane Expert Alex DaSilva told Newsweek. AccuWeather projected 14 to 18 tropical storms and seven to 10 hurricanes in the Eastern Pacific for 2025, while official National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) forecasts called for 12 to 18 storms, with five to 10 becoming hurricanes and two to five reaching major hurricane status. As of the June 6 NHC update, there are no named cyclones active in the basin, though continued monitoring is underway. What People Are Saying Although two tropical storms before June 10 is not unusual, Feerick told Newsweek: "It certainly would be climatologically pretty early to have three named storms by the middle of June." NHC in a forecast about the system closer to Mexico: "Showers and thunderstorms have increased a little on the eastern side of a broad trough of low pressure located a couple of hundred miles south of southern Mexico. Environmental conditions appear conducive for additional development, and a short-lived tropical depression is likely to form over the weekend while the system moves generally west-northwestward just off the coast of Mexico. Interests in southern and southwestern Mexico should monitor the progress of this system." What Happens Next If either disturbance reaches tropical storm strength, it will be named Barbara. The NHC will continue to issue situational updates.
