Scientists have revealed that a large amount of dust from the Sahara Desert will travel 5,000 miles over the Atlantic towards the United States this week.
The huge column was formed by strong winds that carried tiny particles of sand and minerals from the surface of the Sahara, and the current wave is the largest of the season.
Scientists predict that Saharan dust will reach the southern Florida coast and the Gulf of Mexico, spreading into southern Texas this weekend.
Floridians with asthma and other upper respiratory problems should be careful when going outdoors or engaging in physical activity because the dust storm can cause coughing, wheezing and difficulty breathing, experts warned.
Scientists predict the dust will reach the southern Florida coast and the Gulf of Mexico and spread into southern Texas this weekend.
The huge clouds are forecast to cross the entire ocean before reaching Florida and the Gulf of Mexico between Thursday and Sunday, along with parts of Texas.
The National Hurricane Center reported that active tropical waves are coming from the African coast, but dust particles absorb sunlight and act as an air stabilizer to reduce tropical waves so that cyclones cannot develop.
‘For now, this is all good news. “We love seeing it in terms of the tropics, especially in what is likely to be a very busy season,” said meteorologist Jessica Dobson. fox35.
This year is expected to be one of the most active on record, with 24 named storms expected, 11 of which are expected to become hurricanes.
Saharan dust travels 5,000 miles from the Sahara Desert to the Florida coast each year. This dust storm is expected to be the largest so far this season
Saharan dust, also called the Saharan Air Layer (SAL), forms over the Sahara Desert each spring, extending one to three miles above the surface and reaching thousands of miles in length.
Outbreaks typically occur every three to five days until they peak between mid-June and mid-August, and often bring colorful, hazy sunsets to the Florida coast that are characterized by their yellow and red hues.
As dust travels toward the U.S., a pocket of dry air forms thousands of feet above sea level, which will bring drier air and warmer conditions, suppressing tropical developments like hurricanes by removing moisture that they need to train.
They also form strong winds in the upper areas of the SAL, which can reach up to 60 miles per hour and blow away the clouds of any tropical hurricane.
The Saharan dust season begins in spring and peaks between mid-June and mid-August each year.
Saharan dust will impact the Florida coast and travel through the Gulf of Mexico before reaching the southern Texas region
Florida’s ecosystem will also benefit from SAL, which works as a natural fertilizer because it is rich in iron and helps ocean phytoplankton and other marine life.
Phytoplankton feed on iron and nutrients from dust, helping them grow and reproduce, which in turn feeds zooplankton, a food source for small fish, which feed larger fish.
However, SAL dust particles will also cause higher levels of allergies and affect people with asthma and upper respiratory problems.
Doctors have advised people to protect themselves by keeping windows and doors closed, wearing a mask when going out, and carrying their prescribed inhaler or other medications at all times.
If you experience symptoms such as cough, wheezing, chest pain, or difficulty breathing, you should seek medical help immediately.