Saharan Dust Moves into South Florida’s Sky
Noticeable Gloom in the Sky
If you look up on Wednesday, you may notice a little extra gloom to the South Florida sky. While we are tracking some cloud cover, a good portion of the blanket is Saharan Dust.
What is Saharan Dust?
This dust is kicked up by thunderstorms in Africa, and if the trade winds are just right, it can travel the entire Atlantic basin and end up in our backyard.
Impact on Weather and Air Quality
Expect the dust to lower rain chances and cause poorer air quality this week. While not a huge issue for your lungs, this level of dust can be problematic for sensitive groups. We will be in the “moderate” air quality range for a few days before returning to the “good” range this weekend. And that better air quality will move in with the region’s typical rainy season thunderstorms. Hey, this is one way to get some slight relief from the high temperatures.
Positive and Negative Impacts of Saharan Dust
Benefits
- The phenomenon has been linked to beautiful sunrises and sunsets, along with a noticeable glow in the sky.
- It’s also been known to transport nutrients like iron across the ocean and deposited on land. These nutrients act like fertilizer and are at least partially responsible for some of the nutrient-rich soil in the Amazon.
Negative Impacts
- The air associated with this dust is drier and likely chokes off tropical systems, which can weaken or prevent some from forming altogether.
- The particles can be hazardous for health, especially for persons with respiratory issues like asthma.
- Saharan dust has been linked to negative impacts on coral reefs and algae blooms.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is Saharan Dust?
A: Saharan Dust is a type of dust kicked up by thunderstorms in Africa that can travel across the Atlantic basin and end up in our backyard.
Q: What are the impacts of Saharan Dust on air quality?
A: The dust can lower rain chances and cause poorer air quality, which can be problematic for sensitive groups.
Q: Is Saharan Dust a huge issue for lung health?
A: Not a huge issue for healthy adults, but can be problematic for sensitive groups.
Q: Can Saharan Dust impact hurricanes in the Atlantic Ocean?
A: Yes, the dust can weaken or prevent some tropical cyclones from forming altogether.
