3,000-mile cloud of Saharan dust headed towards Florida. Here's when.

A 3,000-mile cloud of Saharan dust is making its way across the Atlantic Ocean and is headed towards Florida. It's a rare event as the Saharan dust typically thins out by September.

What is Saharan dust?

The backstory:

Strong winds regularly lift massive clouds of sand and dirt from the Sahara Desert high into the atmosphere—often reaching elevations between 5,000 and 15,000 feet. Once airborne, prevailing trade winds carry this dust westward across the Atlantic Ocean.

This particular plume is more than 3,000 miles long and is mimicking early summer-like conditions.

When will it arrive in Florida?

Timeline:

Saharan Dust typically peaks between late June and mid-August. So, a September event is considered to be rare. 

Once a dust storm kicks up off the western coast of Africa, it takes approximately one to two weeks for the dust cloud to travel across the Atlantic and finally reach Florida. We expect this Saharan dust to reach Florida on Sunday and Monday.

Will it impact Florida?

There is no serious threat from the Saharan dust, but it does bring some changes to the state. Days will likely be hazy, while sunrises and sunsets should be stunning.

Picture-perfect sunsets

For those who love sunrises and sunsets, expect extra vivid versions with deep red, pink, and orange hues. 

Even less tropical activity

Saharan Dust typically limits the ability for tropical systems to develop. The dust typically chokes the fuel sources needed for a tropical disturbance to have a chance at developing into a tropical storm.

Lower rain chances

Saharan dust can also lead to drier air and reduced thunderstorm activity. 

Air Quality and Health Issues

The biggest downside to the dust is what happens when those particles settle closer to the surface. Hazy skies can significantly reduce visibility and degrade local air quality. For those with respiratory issues, the increased dust and particles in the air could be irritating.

Weather