Latest news with #SaharanDust
Yahoo
a day ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Houston weather: Chance for storms Friday morning, afternoon
The Brief Isolated Storms This Evening Better Chance For Storms Friday Morning & Afternoon A Bit Hotter & Drier by the Weekend Hurricane Season Begins Sunday, June 1 HOUSTON - Storms will be possible on Friday morning, which has been the case for several mornings this week. A few more storms are possible this evening. Coverage doesn't look as high as Wednesday, but we could still see additional rainfall. This pattern will probably repeat for Friday with a better chance for storms Friday morning. This will be associated with a weak cold front dropping into the area. Brief heavy rain, small hail and gusty winds, along with frequent lightning will be possible Friday morning. A few more storms may fire up near the front Friday afternoon and evening. On Friday, high temperatures will get close to 90 again. Low 90s are on the way for the weekend with even lower rain chances. Look for around a 20 percent chance for rain Saturday with a 20% chance for Sunday. The 2025 Atlantic Hurricane Season begins on Sunday. All is looking quiet for now with Saharan dust moving across the Atlantic Ocean. NOAA is predicting 13-19 named storms, 6-10 hurricanes and 3-5 major hurricanes. Now is the time to prepare. The Source Information above provided by your Gulf Coast Weather Authority Team.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Saharan dust is heading toward Florida. What does that mean — and can it impact your health?
Saharan dust is hurtling toward the United States, with a massive plume headed for Florida on Saturday. But what is Saharan dust, and what could it do once it arrives? Here's what you need to know. Saharan dust is exactly what it sounds like: fine sand and mineral particles from the Sahara Desert in North Africa, the largest hot desert in the world and third largest desert overall. Surprisingly, these clouds of fine, dusty air can travel thousands of miles — and even across entire oceans. This phenomenon actually occurs every year: The dust is carried by winds in the atmosphere, specifically by what the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) calls the Saharan Air Layer — a mass of very dry, dusty air that forms over the Sahara during late spring, summer and early fall. Saharan dust activity usually increases in mid-June and peaks from late June to mid-August, meteorologist Jason Dunion told NOAA in 2020. New dust outbreaks happen every few days when atmospheric disturbances near the Sahara kick up dust. The dust then travels to places like Florida or even Texas. Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands already saw Saharan dust this week, the National Weather Service in San Juan reported, and now, the plume is headed toward Florida. It will arrive in south and central Florida by this weekend and linger for several days, with a denser wave likely by mid-next week. As it did in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, the dust will likely cause hazy skies, poorer air quality and reduced visibility, as well as more vibrant sunsets. A plume of Saharan Dust will arrive across South Florida late this week, out ahead of a weak frontal boundary and moisture which will bring increasing rain chances this weekend.A more concentrated plume of Saharan Dust is modeled to arrive across the region mid next week. — NWS Miami (@NWSMiami) May 28, 2025 There is an upside to Saharan dust beyond pretty sunset photos for Instagram, however: The dry, dusty air can also make it harder for storms and hurricanes to form, as the dry air stops the storms from gaining the moisture they need to develop. That can be a positive thing during hurricane season, which, in the Atlantic, begins in June and ends in November. Possibly. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention identifies Saharan dust as a form of 'particulate pollution' that can degrade air quality and pose health risks. Particulate pollution can be especially concerning for people with asthma, allergies or other respiratory conditions — as well as older adults and people with heart issues — since the fine particles can be inhaled into the lungs and even enter the bloodstream. To protect yourself from Saharan dust, stay indoors as much as you can, wear a dust mask like a KN95 if you go outside and use a HEPA air filter inside to keep the air clean. If you use medication for respiratory issues, such as an inhaler, make sure you keep it on hand at all times.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Orlando weather: Strong thunderstorms on Thursday could feature frequent lightning, gusty winds
The Brief More afternoon rain and thunderstorms are possible in Central Florida on Thursday. Storm threats include gusty winds, hail, heavy downpours, and frequent lightning. Temperature-wise, expect another hot and humid day with highs in the mid-90s with feels-like temperatures in the triple digits. ORLANDO, Fla. - Expect another hot and humid day across Central Florida with highs in the mid 90s and feels-like temperatures in the low 100s, followed by more afternoon storms. What to expect The first half of our Thursday will feature warm and muggy temperatures and mostly sunny skies. But as we head into this afternoon, shower and thunderstorm chances will be on the rise. Timeline A few isolated downpours will develop around 2-3pm. The best chances of the most widespread and intense storms will take place from around 4pm-9pm. Some of these storms could be on the strong side with the main impacts being gusty winds, hail, heavy downpours, and frequent lightning. By midnight, most of the action will fizzle out and dissipate. Any lingering showers and storms will fade by midnight. Temperatures will be warm and muggy falling down into the 70s by tomorrow morning. Looking ahead As we head into the weekend, a pattern change does finally arrive late Friday and into early Saturday morning with the passage of a cold front. This will help to increase rain and storm chances for what looks to be overnight Friday and into the first half of Saturday. Temperatures will be knocked down by a few degrees as well, with highs in the upper 80s. Rain chances will taper off Sunday before picking back up into next week. Something else that will be picking up next week will be the Saharan Dust, especially midweek. This could decrease air quality and make for a more milky and muted look to our normally blue skies. On the bright side, it will make for more vivid and colorful sunrises and sunsets. 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 May 29, 2025.
CBS News
2 days ago
- Climate
- CBS News
Massive Saharan dust plume is heading for Florida as it drifts across Atlantic
Saharan dust is heading toward Florida and could be seen over the state by this weekend, radar shows. Dust is forecast to hit south and central Florida on Saturday and stay for at least several days, according to CBS Miami's NEXT Weather radar. Computer models show that after an initial dust wave, a larger and denser plume could be seen in Florida by the middle of next week, CBS Orlando affiliate WKMG reports. Radar also shows dust over south Texas on Monday. Saharan dust was already seen in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands this week, the National Weather Service in San Juan reported on Tuesday. It noted dust impacts included reduced visibility and hazy skies, and said more dust is forecast to move in Saturday and linger through at least Tuesday. Satellite imagery showed dust above most of the Atlantic's tropical waters on Thursday — spanning all the way from Africa's coast to to the Gulf, the National Hurricane Center's Tropical Analysis and Forecast Branch said in a post on X. It noted that the dry air suppresses the development of storms. Hurricane season officially starts on Sunday. Saharan dust over the Atlantic Ocean is seen in satellite imagery in this picture posted by the National Hurricane Center's Tropical Analysis and Forecast Branch on May 29, 2025. National Hurricane Center's Tropical Analysis and Forecast Branch. It is typical for dust to move across the Atlantic every year in early summer, WKMG reports. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says it is called the Saharan Air Layer, which is "a mass of very dry, dusty air that forms over the Sahara Desert during the late spring, summer and early fall." Its activity usually "ramps up" in the middle of June before peaking from late in the month to the middle of August, meteorologist Jason Dunion told NOAA's National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service back in 2020. New "outbreaks" — formed when "ripples" in the atmosphere along the edge of the Sahara Desert kick up dust — can occur every few days and reach as far west as Florida and Texas. Dust sometimes covers areas over the Atlantic as large as the continental United States, Dunion said. The National Weather service said the dust can impact allergies and lead to eye irritation.
The Sun
2 days ago
- Climate
- The Sun
Holiday warning as Saharan dust cloud barrels towards Brit tourist islands & will strike TOMORROW sparking health alert
A SAHARAN dust cloud is set to blanket popular British holiday islands in Spain this Frida y. Brits travelling to or within the Canaries have been warned by Spain 's national weather agency about approaching North African dust - set to affect the archipelago's visibility and air quality. 5 5 5 The dust cloud will hit the eastern Canary Islands - Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria - along with Tenerife, according to Spain's State Meteorological Agency (AEMET). The haze from North Africa will reach the islands, leaving a thin layer of dust on windows and surfaces, AEMET reported. Tourists have been urged to take precautions, especially those who have respiratory conditions. On Friday, the maximum temperature is forecast to rise slightly - to around 22 degrees Celsius. Dust clouds lower air quality, carrying tiny particles like soil, pollen and pollutants, which can then be inhaled. These particles irritate the lungs and airways, potentially triggering asthma and allergies. Those who are said to be at greatest risk are children, older people and people with a weakened immune system or existing lung problems. But not only are the Mediterranean countries hit by Saharan dust, on some occasions, the dust has been found to travel to other countries, including the UK. In fact, the Met Office issued a weather alert for the dust in April, alongside a satellite image showing a cloud of Saharan dust particles hovering over London in 2022. Karen Spillett, deputy head of health advice at Asthma + Lung UK, last month advised people with lung conditions to be cautious and stay indoors. What is a Saharan dust cloud? A Saharan dust cloud is a large mass of dry, dusty air that forms over the Sahara Desert in North Africa. These clouds are made up of tiny sand and mineral particles lifted by strong winds. Once in the atmosphere, the dust can travel thousands of miles. Winds often carry the dust into southern Europe, especially during the spring and summer months. Saharan dust clouds can make the sky hazy, dry out the air and reduce rainfall. They can harm air quality, irritating the lungs and triggering asthma. On a positive note, the dust contains nutrients like iron and phosphorus which helps fertilise rain forests in the Amazon. Horror moment dirty water pipe EXPLODES near tourists' balconies on Costa Del Sol Spillett said: 'If you have a lung condition, especially asthma, you might find that the fine dust particles from the Sahara cause irritation to your lungs. "Fine particles in the air can leave you struggling for breath, and at increased risk of asthma attacks and flare-ups of other lung conditions, like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease." She added: "Keep your windows and doors shut if possible and ensure you have your reliever inhaler with you to treat symptoms if you go out. "If you have a lung condition, ensure you take your preventer medication every day as prescribed, follow your asthma action plan and know what to do if you have an asthma attack or flare-up." It comes as Spain was hit by a bad bout of weather in April - particularly over Easter time, with the Canaries experiencing strong winds and Barcelona seeing heavy rainfall. On April 12, more than a year's worth of rain fell in two hours in parts of the Canaries. Lanzarote was hit by a huge downpour, engulfing homes and streets and prompting officials to declare a state of emergency. 5 5
