Saharan dust will hit Mississippi, Gulf Coast soon. What to know about weather, air quality

Yahoo

8 hours ago

It's back. The first rounds of Saharan dust are set to sweep over Mississippi and the Gulf Coast this weekend and in the first week of June. They'll keep coming all summer.
Also known as the Saharan Air Layer, the annual weather phenomenon can help dampen hurricanes. It brings stellar sunsets and sunrises to the U.S. and can affect air quality.
The initial band will roll over parts of South and Central America, Cuba, the Bahamas, and Florida. A second, massive plume is set to spread over Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas and Alabama around the middle of next week.
Here's what the Mississippi weather forecast calls for, what to know ahead of the dust blowing over the Magnolia State.
Just like the name sounds like, dust and dirt from the Sahara Desert in Africa.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the dry, dusty air forms over the arid region from spring through autumn. Tradewinds can catch the dust, pushing a 2-2.5 mile thick layer in the atmosphere about a mile above the ground or ocean.
According to NOAA, it's common for Saharan dust to cross the Atlantic to the Western hemisphere. In the U.S., bands will hit about every three to five days.
It usually starts around June, and the strongest activity is from June to the middle of August.
Florida is often affected by the airborne dust, according to NOAA, but it can reach as far west at Texas.
The plumes pushed across the ocean can be massive, some are as large as the lower 48 states.
More: Hurricane Hunters aim high, fly low. What to know about this MS team ahead of hurricane season
Yes. Saharan dust can affect air quality and trigger coughing and sinus issues for some people, especially if the coverage is thick. If you're concerned about breathing in the particles, use a mask outside and an air purifier with a filter indoors.
People with asthma or other health issues affected by air quality might want to stay inside as much as possible when the dust is heavy in your area.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines the weather phenomenon as a form of particulate pollution. It's made of sand and minerals, but it's not the same kind of dust as the household variety with dust mites.
According to information from Baptist Health System, the respiratory issues caused by the dust can mimic a COVID-19 infection. Coughing and chest tightness with no fever might be an allergic reaction or your body responding to an irritant. But if your temperature climbs or you lose sense of taste, consider COVID.
The Instituto Espaillat Cabral, an ophthalmology center in the Dominican Republic, recommends wearing protective eyewear and keeping your eyes hydrated to keep the dust from irritating your eyes. If you get debris in your eye, avoid rubbing it.
Yes! Multiple studies have looked at the contents of debris spread in the U.S. and Europe. Dust from the Sahara Desert can carry bacteria and fungi.
Fact check: Magnetic residue in video is sand from Sahara, not evidence of 'chemtrails'
Sort of. It can suppress the energy needed for hurricanes to form and intensify. It's more like starving a storm than making one stop in its tracks automatically.
Large amounts of dust can keep the surface of the ocean slightly cooler, which can help prevent storms from growing or forming.
According to the National Weather Service, the lower humidity and warm, dry air can also weaken an existing storm with downdrafts or throw off the heat signature of a cyclone.
Bonnie Bolden is the Deep South Connect reporter for Mississippi with Gannett/USA Today. Email her at [e-mail].
This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Saharan dust coming to MS, Gulf soon. What to know about weather, air