Massive Dust Cloud Originating Thousands of Miles Away In the Sahara Desert Just Hit Florida
Florida is all set to experience a stunning climatic phenomenon. Weather forecasters have noticed a massive dust cloud heading towards Florida, stated USA Today. Experts believe the dust will produce some stunning visuals for Floridians after June 4. This phenomenon is known as the Saharan Air Layer, or SAL.
The dust cloud is coming from the Sahara Desert and has already travelled thousands of miles. This cloud has reportedly covered thousands of miles on its way to Florida. Experts believe that after entering Florida, the cloud would spread through the Gulf Coast and Southeast.
Forecasters don't believe there will be any adverse consequences, and think it will only result in possibly some marvellous seaside sunsets, stated ABC News. Dry air from the dust could possibly hinder the creation of tropical systems, but officials are not worried, as they believe the moisture in the region is strong enough to overcome this reaction. Experts claim that these dust plumes can infuse the sky with shades of deeper oranges and reds, under certain circumstances. The resultant effect causes picturesque sunrises and sunsets. According to some testimonies, the cloud can make the sky seem 'milky' or 'hazy gray' during the day.
Weather experts do not seem to be concerned by this phenomenon. It is typically active every year from late June to mid-August. The whole phenomenon is part of the transporting event that takes place across the Atlantic. The atmosphere essentially moves several hundred million tons of dust in this event. This 'dust' contains minerals like iron and phosphorus, which are moved to South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. The dust cloud's route goes through Puerto Rico, but it often also reaches places like Florida and Texas. This year seems to be one of those times.
As per the available information, the dust cloud has already impacted the air quality of the Caribbean, stated Vice. The dust can trap the heat near the surface while traveling in its trajectory. Sometimes the phenomenon could also cause an uptick in coastal temperatures. The cloud is typically created by the motion of tropical waves above northern Africa. The movement results in dry air and fine particles getting pulled to the upper atmosphere, and later turn into migrating clouds, making the massive journey.
As per Accuweather, the cloud's size is around 2,000 miles wide from west to east and 750 miles long, stretching from north to south. The phenomenon is supposedly visible from space, and has made an entry into Florida on 4th June. Experts think that it will now begin to spread over the southeast.
Experts claim that the cloud eventually should reach Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama, according to USA Today. For Floridians, the visual effect would possibly come into effect sometime during the end of the week. Before that, factors like cloud and rainfall would act as barriers. Senior Meteorologist Adam Douty predicted that more Saharan dust after SAL could come the way of Florida. He claimed that though the event as a whole is not strange, and happens two or three times in the whole year, it is just a little earlier than usual.