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(CNN) - The long-awaited column of dust from the Sahara is now making its journey of more than 8,000 kilometers across the Atlantic to the United States.
The thick dust is also clearly visible on satellite images. You can distinguish the brown glow that spreads across the African coast. It is so dense that it makes it almost difficult to know where the continent ends and where the ocean begins!
Today's view of a large Saharan dust plume.
Watch in near-realtime: https://t.co/mtWrgxAxqY. pic.twitter.com/aq4Ozto4Ng
- CIRA (@CIRA_CSU) June 19, 2020
Forecasting models require this strip of dust, directly from the Sahara desert and carried by trade winds from east to west, to reach the southeastern United States. from Wednesday of this week.
A computer model forecast of atmospheric dust for the next 10 days. The plume of Saharan dust is expected to move over the Southeastern US next week. The dust will be primarily at higher altitudes, so the main impact will be some especially colorful sunrises sunsets pic.twitter.com/bBzFp06lCu
- NWS Eastern Region (@NWSEastern) June 19, 2020
If you haven't heard your friends talk about this "mysterious" Saharan dust column, then you've certainly seen it on social media since last week. It is the only thing people talk about in the climate world.
This column of Saharan dust blowing across the Atlantic Ocean from Africa is nothing new, not even special in 2020. In fact, “large columns of Saharan dust routinely track the Atlantic Ocean from late spring to early fall. . Occasionally, when the dust column is large enough and the trade winds move precisely, the dust can travel thousands of kilometers across the Atlantic and into the United States, ”said CNN meteorologist Haley Brink.
These columns of dust actually occur often during hurricane season.
Saharan dust can also impact you in various ways once it reaches land. Some of these impacts can be felt, while others are seen.
Here are the top 3 ways you will notice next week's Saharan dust in the U.S.
A difference in heaven
One of the first things you will notice when the Saharan dust layer arrives is that your typical blue sky will have a milky haze. That milky haze is Saharan dust! Those tiny dust particles raised to tens of thousands of meters in the air do a great job of scattering the sun's rays at dusk and dawn, giving way to stunning sunrises and sunsets. So, take out the camera!
Less tropical activity in the Atlantic
Saharan dust from a hurricane is nothing more than extremely dry air. Hurricanes hate dry air! A hurricane needs a warm, humid, and calm environment. As long as the dust from the Sahara is nearby ... you will likely see the National Hurricane Center observing fewer systems in the tropics.
Dust cloud allergies
The tiny dust particles that give way to beautiful sunrises and sunsets and help suppress hurricane development don't always stay at 9,100 meters. Sometimes the particles can reach the surface, greatly affecting people with sensitive allergies.
If you're looking for a scarf this week, or looking for your iPhone to post another amazing sunset photo on Instagram, thank or blame Saharan dust.
Sahara
