The vast clouds of Sahara dust, usually the size of 48 states, travel across the Atlantic Ocean, are expected to cover the southeastern United States this week, with blurry skies, temperatures and air quality expected to decline.
Experts at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration say storms cause dramatic visuals and health recommendations for people with breath sensitivity, but dust is not expected to disrupt travel and flight operations.
The NOAA office in Melbourne, Florida reported a surge in calls from residents worried about the cloudy horizon Tuesday afternoon. Dust is expected to remain in the next few days as Cuba, Haiti and the Dominican Republic are calibrated veils that will cause coughs and watery eyes that begin on June 2nd in a sepia-conditioned veil, causing them to begin with June 2nd. The plume body was appointed to the US Atlantic Coast early in the morning on Wednesday, June 4th.
“It could cause a blurry sky and low vision,” says Shaper. “It will continue until Thursday and dissipate on Friday.”
According to NOAA, this phenomenon develops when spraying in areas below the atmosphere at the central level – along the southern tip of the Sahara Desert, large amounts of dust are lifted into the air. And while it may seem apocalyptic, it’s more common than you think.
“We see these quite regularly during this time of year as the wind carries dust across the Atlantic,” he says. “It usually lasts from July to early August and tapered.”
In most cases, the dust is not static, so there is no big haze. However, this is a particularly large storm, about 2,000 miles wide, so the effect is much more pronounced.
Sahara dust does not always follow this route through the Caribbean or the southeastern US. The particles travel thousands of miles, reaching the Amazon Basin in South America, and sometimes wind-responding to parts of Europe. In April 2024, plumes were swept into Athens, Greece, directing an eerie tint of orange towards the skyline as the low-pressure system carried dust throughout the Mediterranean Sea. Two months later, Florence, Italy experienced a similar scenario, turning the city of the Renaissance into something that looks like a scene from Sand Dunes.
After all, this Caribbean and America cloud is welcoming news heading into hurricane season. Sahara dust storms act in many ways as a natural check on tropical cyclones. The dry air they carry helps prevent storms from strengthening and stabilize the atmosphere. “That super dry air keeps thunderstorms in the afternoon,” says Dr. Jason Danion, NOAA meteorologist and expert on SAL activities.
Still, the window of positive effects may be short. “It appears that this plume will likely hit a deadly boundary and begin to dissipate near the Jacksonville area by Thursday night,” Shaper said. After that, move west to the ground and you’ll see Peter.
Meteorologist Matt Bishop at the NOAA office in Fort Worth says Ploom should have a small impact on Texas. “We see some impacts, but that’s going to be comparable to what we’ve experienced in West Texas dust,” he says. For drivers, Bishop points out that conditions may resemble a fog of light, which could result in lower visibility during peak dust periods.
Air quality from Florida to Texas will be a concern for individuals with breathing conditions, especially for those with breathing conditions. However, Shaper stresses that plumes are not expected to have a significant impact on flights and travel plans. When asked for comment, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) stated, “Air traffic controllers are working hard to mitigate the impact of bad weather and natural disasters on the flow of the Air Force. They may slow down the flow of aircraft to the airport or put on hold on airport-bound flights.”
In the meantime, temperatures in the southeast could rise due to sandstorms. “You can expect some pretty warm days,” says Danion.
However, he added that the heat also has its advantages. “These dust particles shaped methods scatter sunlight in a certain way,” says Danion. “Look at sunrise and sunset. You may get milky white haze in the morning, but dust can create a particularly vibrant sunset.”
