Dry air, heavy rain and Saharan Dust in South Florida (2024)

FAQs

How long will Saharan dust last in Florida? ›

SAL (the Saharan Air Layer) typically starts as soon as mid-June and can occur as late as the end of September. The majority of dust passes through the Atlantic in July and August. New outbreaks are generated every 2–5 days.

The Sahara Desert is thousands of miles away from the Sunshine State. And yet, a layer of Saharan dust can make it to Central Florida.In the late spring, summer and early fall times, a cloud of dry, dusty air forms over the Sahara desert.

Copernicus: Saharan Dust strongly affects air quality in eastern Mediterranean | Copernicus.

Giant plumes of Sahara Desert dust that gust across the Atlantic can suppress hurricane formation over the ocean and affect weather in North America. But thick dust plumes can also lead to heavier rainfall – and potentially more destruction – from landfalling storms, according to a July 24 study in Science Advances.

Dr St John added, “Saharan dust can also worsen the health symptoms of those who suffer from asthma, allergies and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)”.

Saharan dust can irritate people's eyes, ears, noses and throats. If you have allergies or respiratory health issues like asthma or chronic bronchitis, you may want to stay indoors and take your allergy medication.

With such a huge population coupled with large amounts of industry, Florida would see much of its pollution arise from these two factors. The mass movement of people requires the use of vehicles, which in turn requires some form of combustion to take place.

Black soot and dust can cause sneezing, eye irritation, and difficulty breathing as well as a range of health problems. There's also the risk of carbon monoxide, a fire, or an explosion.

A buildup of dust in your home is often the result of poor airflow. Combined with infrequent cleaning, poor airflow can lead dust and dust mites to settle comfortably into several areas in your home. Make sure your HVAC system is running properly and consider running ceiling fans to help air circulate.

Sahara desert dust storms carry harmful bacteria and fungi around the globe. We often dismiss springtime allergies as reactions to local pollen. Yet, something else might cause our sniffles and sneezes: a massive dust storms that originate thousands of miles away in Africa's Sahara region.

Is Saharan dust radioactive? ›

It is also known that depending on the origin of the transport Saharan dust sometimes carries radioactive particles, partly due to French nuclear essays in Algeria in the 70's but in concentration levels not considered harmful for health or the environment.

This plume of dust resides somewhere between 5,000 and 15,000 feet in the sky, so it is not near the jet stream. SAL (the Saharan Air Layer) typically starts as soon as mid-June and can occur as late as the end of September. The majority of dust passes through the Atlantic in July and August.

Saharan air and dust significantly hinder tropical development. The moisture can not condense into clouds and grow as easily when the air is so dry and dusty. This limits thunderstorm development, which in turn prevents tropical cyclone genesis.

For mild symptoms, he recommends saline spray, air purifiers and nasal irrigation. But for those with underlying breathing issues, the risk of more serious symptoms increases, especially patients with a history of asthma or emphysema. Those individuals need to be close to their inhalers.

N​o predictor for the season: According to NOAA's HRD, SAL activity usually hits a peak from late June through mid-August. That's one reason why the first few months of the hurricane season are usually more quiet.

Dust storms are caused by strong winds sweeping dust and soil from dry land into the air. Haboobs are the result of thunderstorm winds. Dust storms typically last only a few minutes to an hour, but they are highly dangerous for drivers and people who are outside during the storm.

In the United States, Florida often has the most impacts. But, the dust can make it to the central Gulf of Mexico and even Texas. When this dust blows west across the Atlantic Ocean, it brings drier air and hotter conditions along its path. It also keeps the tropics at bay.