Summarised by Centrist
The first surge of Saharan dust for the 2025 season is moving across the Atlantic and is expected to arrive in the southeastern United States by midweek, bringing both weather disruption and public health implications, writes Jonathan Belles for Weather.com.
Known formally as the Saharan Air Layer, this dry, dust-laden air mass travels thousands of miles from North Africa to the Americas between late spring and early autumn. The dust typically floats between 5,000 and 20,000 feet and arrives in waves every few days. This week’s batch will be more patchy than the dense plume over the Caribbean but could reach the broader Gulf Coast by the weekend.
Meteorologists say the Saharan Air Layer plays a key role in suppressing early hurricane activity. “The dust is not only dry but also has a sinking motion,” Belles explains, which makes it harder for thunderstorms and tropical waves to develop. The dust can also cool the ocean slightly by reflecting sunlight and boost upper-level wind shear, which can shred developing storms.
That is why the hurricane season tends to ramp up later, with over 80 percent of storm activity usually happening from late August to October, when the Saharan Air Layer weakens and ocean temperatures peak.
Locally, the dust can reduce rain chances and raise temperatures in Florida. “There is a break in the rainy season,” Belles writes, “but that’s not always good news.” Without daily sea breeze storms, heat and humidity build up, making conditions more oppressive.
The dust also affects air quality, particularly for people with asthma or respiratory conditions. Skies may appear hazier, and symptoms similar to allergy flare-ups are common. Health experts advise limiting outdoor time or wearing a mask on high-dust days.
One upside is that the particles scatter light and can create “more orange or reddish” sunrises and sunsets.
