A familiar summer haze is on its way to Florida.
According to NOAA, the Saharan Air Layer, a mass of “very dry, dusty air” that forms over the Sahara Desert, is set to arrive soon.
It typically forms during late spring, summer, and early fall, moving across the tropical North Atlantic Ocean every 3 to 5 days. It carries upwards of 100 million tons of dust annually over the ocean and the Americas.
When will Saharan Air come to Florida? How long will it last?
The plumes typically begin in mid-June and run through mid-August; however, the dry air can have lasting effects on hurricane season, which runs through November.
Can you actually see the dust in the air?
Sort of. Given how high in the atmosphere the dust lies, it can create vibrant sunsets and sunrises by scattering sunlight. During the day, at most, the sky could appear hazy white if there are sufficient quantities.
What causes the Sahara Air Layer?
Outbreaks of Saharan dust can form when ripples in the lower-to-middle atmosphere, called tropical waves, track along the southern edge of the Sahara Desert, lofting vast amounts of dust.
As the SAL crosses the Atlantic, it usually occupies an over 2-mile-thick layer of the atmosphere with its base starting about 1 mile above the surface, NOAA explains. The warmth, dryness, and strong winds associated with the layer have been shown to suppress tropical cyclone formation and intensification.
Is it common for the Saharan dust to cross the Atlantic on a regular basis?
Its activity usually ramps up in mid-June and peaks from late June to mid-August, with new outbreaks occurring every three to five days.
During the peak period, it is common for certain outbreaks to reach farther west — as far as Florida, Central America, and even Texas — and cover extensive areas of the Atlantic (sometimes as large as the lower 48 United States).
Does Saharan dust make it hotter? Here’s how the Saharan Air Layer influences weather and climate
According to the National Weather Service, there are three characteristics of these “SAL” outbreaks that can affect tropical cyclones, tropical disturbances, and the general climatology of the Atlantic tropical atmosphere:
What does Saharan dust mean for hurricane season?
It mostly means good news, especially for times we have an active season predicted.
Tropical development requires warm water and wind. Tropical disturbances tend to form in waters around the equator where ocean temperatures can reach the 80-degree minimum required to begin developing. When wind moves over these warm bodies of water, it causes water to evaporate from the ocean surface.
That vapor then rises, cools and condenses into large water droplets, which create cumulonimbus clouds. When warm vapor cools, its heat energy is dispersed at the top of the clouds, raising air pressure, which in turn pushes lower air down to the ocean’s surface, repeating the pattern.
The dust helps weaken and suppress tropical cyclone formation and intensification, according to the National Weather Service and NOAA.
Is the dust harmful to our air quality?
Saharan dust can be harmful to health. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says Saharan dust worsens air quality and increases particulate matter levels.
The air has about 50% less moisture than the typical atmosphere, which means the presence of the layer can be detrimental to cloud formation and thunderstorm activity.
What are the symptoms of Saharan dust?
Dust particles can be breathed in, enter your lungs and bloodstream, and potentially trigger asthma attacks in people with asthma and aggravate other respiratory conditions. Individuals with seasonal allergies can also be affected by the dust, encountering the typical symptoms of runny noses, sore throats, and itchy eyes.
Saharan dust has been linked to increased emergency department visits for:
How can I check the air quality in my region?
Air Quality Index – Current Conditions
Contributing: Brandon Girod, Pensacola News Journal
Samantha Neely is a trending reporter for the USA TODAY NETWORK-Florida, covering pop culture, theme parks, breaking news and more. You can get all of Florida’s best content directly in your inbox each weekday by signing up for the free newsletter, Florida TODAY, at https://floridatoday.com/newsletters.
This article originally appeared on Florida Today: What Saharan dust means for Florida. When it’s coming
Reporting by Samantha Neely, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida / Florida Today
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