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Newsweek
27-05-2025
- Climate
- Newsweek
Some People in Florida Advised To Stay Inside Amid Warning of Saharan Dust
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. Floridians who are sensitive to poor air quality might want to limit their outdoor activity or consider staying inside this week as a Saharan dust plume moves into the state. Why It Matters The influx of Saharan dust can directly impact public health and daily life in Florida, especially for those with asthma, chronic respiratory diseases, and allergies. Elevated particle concentrations can trigger breathing problems, sore throats, and eye irritation. The plume's presence is also expected to temporarily suppress hurricane development, which could be a mixed blessing ahead of the Atlantic storm season, which is set to begin on June 1. What To Know The Saharan Air Layer originates in Africa's Sahara Desert and is carried westward by powerful winds across the Atlantic Ocean, often reaching as far as the Caribbean, Florida, and the Gulf Coast. Each summer, the dust travels over 5,000 miles, typically peaking from June through mid-August. A Florida sunset is seen amid a Sahara dust storm on June 30, 2020. A Florida sunset is seen amid a Sahara dust storm on June 30, 2020. Johnny Louis/Getty National guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Weather Service (NWS) says that exposure to elevated dust levels can aggravate asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and allergies. Eyes, nasal passages, and throats may also become irritated, and vulnerable groups—including children, the elderly, and people with heart or lung conditions—face increased risks. The dust cloud is particularly strong in the Caribbean, where the health guidance advises limiting time outdoors, especially during highest dust concentration. People are urged to keep windows and doors closed, use air purifiers with HEPA filters and wear masks—preferably dust or surgical masks—if time outdoors cannot be avoided. While the dust degrades air quality, it also can suppress hurricane activity. NWS Weather Prediction Center meteorologist David Roth told Newsweek the dust can make it more difficult for showers and thunderstorms to form. The dust also can make the sky appear whiter, Roth said. People also should be cognizant of heat, as the dust can make it feel hotter, Roth said. What People Are Saying NWS Weather Prediction Center meteorologist David Roth told Newsweek: "Any particulate in the air, especially if it's above 80 lower air quality. Usually it won't be unhealthy for the general population, but if you're sensitive to a decrease in air quality, you should stay indoors." Wokil Bam, an assistant professor at the University of Southern Mississippi, posted on X, formerly Twitter: "Saharan dust is a fascinating natural phenomenon! Every year, strong winds lift massive amounts of dust from the Sahara Desert and carry it across the Atlantic Ocean, sometimes reaching as far as the Americas: Saharan dust is headed to Florida. It travels to the Sunshine State each summer, causing hazy skies, colorful sunsets, and lower air quality. The dry, dusty air can weaken or block hurricane formation." What Happens Next Roth said the Saharan dust conditions will likely persist for at least the next few days. People who are sensitive to poor air quality are encouraged to follow air quality forecasts as the dust persists across the region.
New York Times
13-05-2025
- Climate
- New York Times
An Atmospheric River Brings Flooding Risks to the Mid-Atlantic
A slow-moving storm system that's been called an atmospheric river is poised to deliver bouts of heavy rain across the Mid-Atlantic over the next few days, increasing the risk of flash floods. Forecasters expressed concern for areas where the ground is especially vulnerable in North Carolina. David Roth, a meteorologist at the Weather Prediction Center, said the state has been particularly at risk since Hurricane Helene. 'Helene just made everything worse,' he said. 'There were some landslides in western North Carolina from it. It takes a while to recover from a tropical cyclone. So their ground is more sensitive.' Mr. Roth said North Carolina's complex terrain was another factor of concern. 'They have a lot of up and down variation,' he said. 'Even without Helene, almost every time it rains moderately, to have the mountains, basically you get these small waterfalls.' The Weather Prediction Center has issued a Level 2 out of 4 risk for excessive rainfall, potentially leading to flash flooding across eastern North Carolina, eastern Virginia, Maryland, eastern West Virginia and extending into central and southern Pennsylvania through Wednesday. Flood watches have been issued across these areas through late Tuesday. Rainfall totals were expected to range between one and three inches, and rain may fall at a rate of one to two inches an hour. Forecasters anticipated the intense rain to develop by late Tuesday morning, fueled by daytime warming. The Weather Prediction Center also noted that the hills and mountains stretching from southern Pennsylvania through Virginia could receive additional rainfall because of the way the air is being pushed up the slopes. Recent rainfall has saturated the ground in this region, further elevating the risk of flash flooding. The storm has brought repeated rounds of heavy rain to the Southeast since last week. Its slow-moving nature and a continuous feed of moisture from the Gulf and Atlantic are the main risk factors for flash floods. Forecasters have called this an atmospheric river, a term more commonly associated with the steady streams of moisture that soak the West Coast but that also describes patterns responsible for rain in the East. 'You can call any warm conveyor belt circulation around a nontropical low an atmospheric river,' said Mr. Roth, adding that such systems are especially concerning when they stall. 'This at least will show some progression,' he said. 'It won't be as bad as some of the multiday heavy rain events that the mountains of California can sometimes get.' The system is expected to reach the Great Lakes by Wednesday, when thunderstorms will most likely become more scattered and less intense. However, a lower-level risk for flash flooding, 1 out of 4, was expected across parts of the Carolinas and into southern Pennsylvania through Thursday.
New York Times
17-03-2025
- Climate
- New York Times
Extremely Critical Fire Conditions Expected to Return to the Southern Plains
A new wave of fire danger looms over the southern and central Plains this week, with a powerful storm system gathering strength over the northern Plains poised to unleash bone-dry winds across already vulnerable parched landscapes, creating perfect conditions for more fast-moving wildfires. Widespread winds between 25 and 35 miles per hour are forecast, according to the Storm Prediction Center, with central Texas through central and northeastern Oklahoma into eastern Kansas and western Missouri expecting gusts of 40 miles per hour or more starting Monday. But it's not just the strength of the wind that's of concern. David Roth, a meteorologist with the Weather Prediction Center, said that a recent cold front pushed moisture away from Texas and that offshore winds have continued to keep the air dry. Very little moisture is expected to return on Monday. Forecast risk of fire weather for Monday Elevated Critical Extremely Critical 'All you really need for fire weather are relative humidities under 20 percent,' Mr. Roth said. As temperatures rise into the 60s and 70s, humidity levels are expected to drop into the teens or even single digits in some places. 'For every 10 miles an hour, a fire can move a mile each day,' he said. 'The higher the wind is, the harder it is to control, which also means it's harder for the firefighters to control.' Reported incidents Latest perimeters Source: National Interagency Fire Center Notes: Data is available only for the United States. Fire perimeters are shown when available. Fire locations and perimeters are classified as wildfires according to the U.S. government's Integrated Reporting of Wildland Fire Information. By William B. Davis, Joey K. Lee and Bea Malsky Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
