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(CNN Spanish) - A column of dust from the Sahara has traveled more than 8,000 kilometers and is advancing over the Caribbean. In fact, it is expected to reach the southeastern United States. from Wednesday of this week.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) explains that the dust column occurs from late spring to early fall. He describes it as “a dusty air mass known as the Saharan Air Layer (SAL) over the Sahara Desert and moving westward through the tropical North Atlantic. SAL, which stretches around 1,500 to 6,000 meters in the atmosphere, can be transported for several thousand kilometers, reaching the Caribbean, Florida and the Gulf Coast of the United States when the winds are particularly strong. ”
LOOK: The 3 ways the Sahara dust column will affect you if you live in the US
The dust also goes further south, to the Amazon River in South America, explains NOAA, "where the minerals in the powder replenish nutrients in the rainforest soils, which are continually depleted by tropical rains."
Check out these stunning images from NOAA's Geostationary Environmental Operational Satellite, or GOES:
This image was captured on June 16 and shows the dust column advancing west across the Atlantic Ocean:
These images show the situation in Puerto Rico, first on June 21, and then this Monday.
Most recent satellite image indicates the front of the dense layer of Sahara dust just east of the area. It is expected to arrive in the advanced area in the morning towards the afternoon with the sky becoming very foggy. #prwx #usviwx pic.twitter.com/nTgrxue8dJ
- NWS San Juan (@NWSSanJuan) June 21, 2020
This Sunday the Puerto Rico Health Department said in a statement that between that day and Thursday an "immense cloud of dust from the Sahara will cover the entire island" and asked people with respiratory diseases to take precautions:
Press Release from the Puerto Rico Department of Health about the Sahara dust event that will be affecting the area.
Department of health of Puerto Rico Press Release on the Saharan Dust event that will be affecting the area. #prwx pic.twitter.com/BatGHZ3BJR
- NWS San Juan (@NWSSanJuan) June 21, 2020
In this image of South America this Monday, you can see the dust cloud on the coasts of the region. In Caracas, the capital of Venezuela, on the north coast of the country, the skies could be seen this Sunday with a yellowish hue, a product of the column.
https://cnnespanol2.files.wordpress.com/2020/06/whatsapp-video-2020-06-22-at-10.02.39-am.mp4
The department of La Guajira, in Colombia, just at the northernmost tip of the country, is one of those traditionally affected by dust, although there are no reports from the authorities this year yet.
