Saharan dust is settling in this week: What it means for Louisiana

Saharan dust is settling in this week: What it means for Louisiana

NEW ORLEANS —

You may have heard meteorologists speak about Saharan Dust, but what is it, and what impacts does it bring?

What is Saharan dust?

The Saharan Air Layer is very dry, dusty air that forms over the Sahara Desert and moves out over the North Atlantic Ocean every three to five days, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

This layer of dust can be found around 5,000 to 20,000 feet in the atmosphere. The dry air can weaken tropical systems, and is beneficial during hurricane season.

Strong winds can carry this dust all the way to the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico.

Current satellite imagery shows a layer of dust over the Gulf of Mexico and into southeast Louisiana.

How does this affect our weather?

IMPACTS:

A hazy sky is present when there is a concentration of dust.

NASA says dust can cause outbreaks of certain algal blooms in the Gulf of Mexico and southern Florida.

It can also have an impact on air quality. Those with respiratory issues and other sensitive groups will want to take care during a dust event.

The Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality has southeast Louisiana and coastal Mississippi under a moderate air quality index Tuesday and Wednesday, which states "some pollutants there may be a moderate health concern for a very small number of people who are unusually sensitive to air pollution."

The dust is also known to contribute to colorful sunrises and sunsets.

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Source: https://www.wdsu.com/article/saharan-dust-is-settling-in-this-week-what-it-means-for-louisiana/28182960