A plume of Saharan dust large enough to blanket the entire Caribbean is expected to reach the Gulf Coast later this week, marking the start of a season that often brings dry, hazy air and epic sunsets.Â
Each summer, strong winds blow huge clouds of dust up from the Sahara Desert off the coast of Africa and thousands of miles across the Atlantic Ocean to the U.S.
Jason Dunion, a meteorologist with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration who studies the Saharan Air Layer, said enormous dust outbreaks the size of the continental U.S. are released off Africa's western coast every three to five days during peak season, which typically runs from mid-June to mid-July.Â
"If you summed up this time of year you would say: It’s starting," Dunion said.Â
The plume in question left Africa on May 21 and was situated over the central and western Caribbean on Wednesday afternoon, Dunion said. The local National Weather Service office in San Juan, Puerto Rico, warned that the dust could bring hazy skies and poor air quality across much of the region early this week.Â
Some of the dust had already entered the southern Gulf of Mexico by Wednesday afternoon, and Dunion said more is expected to spread over ¶¶Òõh's coast and the Florida Panhandle on Thursday and Friday. The eastern coast of Texas could also get clipped by the outbreak, he said.Â
“And it’s big," Dunion said. "It's pretty much spreading over the entire Caribbean.â€
Another plume is right on its heels and could affect Gulf states late next week.
NASA's GEOS-5 uses actual observations and satellite data to help create 10 day forecasts of dust aerosols, and shows the Saharan dust outbreak over the Caribbean and the next big outbreak in the eastern Atlantic.
'Prettier sunrises'
While other countries nearer to Africa often see visible dust buildup on cars and significantly worsened air quality, Dunion said only the finest dust particles typically make it all the way to the Gulf Coast.Â
Outside of drier air and maybe a little haze, Dunion said the dust isn't likely to bring major impacts to ¶¶Òõh. He noted, however, that there have been instances in the past of major outbreaks that did have consequences in the U.S., including a that was nicknamed the "Godzilla" dust storm.Â
A hazy morning above the west bank of New Orleans as Saharan dust clouds move into the area on Friday, June 26, 2020.
There is research that suggests the Saharan Air Layer, outfitted with dry air and high winds, can help to suppress thunderstorms and tropical activity. But, as Dunion pointed out, hurricane season doesn't start until June 1.Â
Dunion said the most noticeable impact to ¶¶Òõh will likely be more dramatic sunrises and sunsets, thanks to the shape of the dust particles and the way they spread out and reflect the sun's light.Â
"Sometimes it'll light up the sky, that orange color," he said.Â
Mike Efferson, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service of New Orleans, said the local office isn't expected any dramatic weather changes or health consequences as a result of the Saharan dust.Â
The main impact, Efferson agreed, will be "prettier sunrises and sunsets."
