Latest news with #MattDevitt
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Climate
- Daily Mail
Fast-moving airborne threat approaching US triggers public health warnings
A large cloud of dust from the Sahara Desert is moving across the Atlantic and is expected to reach Florida and parts of the southeastern US in the coming days. The dusty air may linger for several days, leading to poor air quality and potential health risks. Experts warn that it can make breathing difficult, especially for people with asthma, allergies, or other respiratory issues, because it carries fine particles that can irritate the lungs. Meteorologist Matt Devitt of WINK Weather in Fort Myers, Florida, shared a time-lapse video on Facebook Tuesday, showing the Saharan dust cloud drifting near Key West, spreading into the Gulf of Mexico, and looping back into South Florida by Friday. As of Wednesday, the cloud had reached the Caribbean Sea. 'The Saharan Air Layer contains about 50 percent less humidity, which can weaken tropical systems and slow down activity in affected areas,' Devitt said . As a bonus, the plume can create stunning sunrises and sunsets, adding a warm, colorful glow to the sky. Saharan dust clouds like this one can travel more than 5,000 miles and often reach the Gulf Coast and Florida each summer. The Saharan Air Layer is a dry, dusty air mass that forms over the Sahara Desert, the largest and hottest desert in the world. Each summer, seasonal weather patterns like the West African Monsoon and high-pressure systems create strong winds that sweep across the Sahara. These winds pick up tiny particles known as aeolian dust and lift them into the atmosphere. Meanwhile, the Bermuda-Azores High, a high-pressure system over the Atlantic Ocean, produces steady east-to-west winds that help carry the dust across the ocean. Another pattern, the African Easterly Jet, helps push the dust higher into the air and even farther west. Together, these wind systems can transport Saharan dust over 5,000 miles, often reaching the Caribbean, Florida, and the Gulf Coast. Dust activity usually peaks between June and mid-August, though the amount of dust varies from year to year. While the dust can lower air quality and pose problems for people with asthma or other respiratory conditions, it also has a silver lining: the dry air and strong winds help suppress hurricanes by making it harder for tropical storms to form and grow. The Saharan dust plume is expected to reach Florida by the weekend, bringing hazy skies, vibrant sunsets, and a drop in air quality. Experts cite guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Weather Service (NWS), which warn that elevated dust levels can trigger asthma attacks and worsen conditions like COPD and allergies. The fine dust particles can also irritate the eyes, nose, and throat. Health officials say children, older adults, and people with heart or lung issues are especially vulnerable during these dusty events. In June 2020, a massive Saharan dust cloud, nicknamed the 'Godzilla plume,' swept from West Africa across the Atlantic, bringing hazy skies from Texas to the Carolinas. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) called it the largest event in nearly 50 years, with reduced visibility and air quality alerts issued across multiple states. Then in July 2023, another thick wave of Saharan dust blanketed Florida, Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, and Mississippi, turning skies orange and pushing air quality into 'unhealthy for sensitive groups' in cities like Miami and Houston. This year's plume is different as it's earlier, denser, and more concentrated, with higher levels of fine particles. As a result, health officials and meteorologists are keeping a close eye on its impact. The size and intensity of these dust clouds vary from year to year, but scientists believe that shifting wind patterns and climate change may be contributing to more frequent and powerful plumes.
Miami Herald
11-04-2025
- Miami Herald
‘Stunning' creature with ‘balloon-like float' spotted on AL beach, officials say
A jellyfish-like creature — resembling an 18th century Portuguese warship — washed up along an Alabama beach, officials said. 'Stranded but still stunning,' the City of Orange Beach Coastal Resources said in an April 9 post on Facebook. 'Nature's beauty comes with a sting!' Though interesting to look at, the Portuguese man-of-war's venom can be deadly to small fish and painful to humans, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The creature has a colorful 'balloon-like float' and long tentacles that can be up to 30 feet, NOAA said. Man-of-wars are often found in tropical and subtropical waters, according to the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. Commonly mistaken for jellyfish, man-of-wars are made up of a 'colony of numerous organisms (called polyps) that live together,' experts said. Man-of-wars have also recently been spotted on beaches in Southwest Florida, meteorologist Matt Devitt said in an April 8 Facebook post. 'Their stings are pretty painful, lasting up to 1-3 hours,' he warned. 'Make sure to avoid!' Orange Beach is about a 25-mile drive southwest from Pensacola, Florida.
Yahoo
08-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Florida panther sneaks up on opossum, but outcome is a surprise
Florida panthers prey on an assortment of mammals, including opossums. But for one seemingly oblivious opossum recently, it must have been its lucky night. The accompanying footage, credited to Dick Brewer and shared by Matt Devitt of WINK Weather, shows a panther walking up behind an opossum, seemingly out of pure curiosity. Although both animals bare their teeth, the encounter features a surprise ending, revealing that top predators aren't always savage beasts. Top comment on Facebook: 'This is the Florida we need to be saving.' Endangered Florida panthers are protected by state and federal law, numbering slightly more than 200 individuals. Their top prey items are deer and wild hogs. This article originally appeared on For The Win: Florida panther sneaks up on opossum, but outcome is a surprise
USA Today
07-02-2025
- General
- USA Today
Florida panther sneaks up on opossum, but outcome is a surprise
Florida panthers prey on an assortment of mammals, including opossums. But for one seemingly oblivious opossum recently, it must have been its lucky night. The accompanying footage, credited to Dick Brewer and shared by Matt Devitt of WINK Weather, shows a panther walking up behind an opossum, seemingly out of pure curiosity. Although both animals bare their teeth, the encounter features a surprise ending, revealing that top predators aren't always savage beasts. Top comment on Facebook: 'This is the Florida we need to be saving.' Endangered Florida panthers are protected by state and federal law, numbering slightly more than 200 individuals. Their top prey items are deer and wild hogs.
