ORLANDO, Fla. – A familiar summer visitor is making its way back across the Atlantic. A plume of Saharan dust is expected to arrive in Central Florida late Thursday and linger into the weekend, bringing hazier skies, fewer storms, and hotter temperatures.
The Saharan Air Layer, a large mass of dry, dusty air that travels thousands of miles from Africa, is common this time of year. While it can create some beautiful sunrises and sunsets, the dry air associated with the plume can also put a temporary lid on tropical development and daily storm activity.
What Central Florida can expect
The dust plume will begin moving into Florida late Thursday, with the biggest impacts expected Friday through the weekend.
The dust will likely stay suspended high in the atmosphere, so most people will only notice it as a milky haze in the sky. However, if rain falls while the dust is present, those raindrops can carry particles down to the surface, leaving behind spots on cars, windows, and outdoor furniture.
The drier air will also help lower rain chances heading into the weekend. Afternoon storms, which have been common recently, will become more limited with coverage dropping to around 20-30%.
With fewer storms and more sunshine, temperatures will climb with highs pushing into the upper 90s. Heat index values could once again approach dangerous levels during the hottest part of the afternoon, with heat advisories likely.
Will the dust impact air quality?
For most people, the dust will not cause major issues. However, sensitive groups, including those with respiratory conditions or allergies, could notice some irritation, especially if the plume becomes thicker.
Why does Saharan dust matter?
The Saharan Air Layer has both benefits and drawbacks.
It helps limit tropical development:
The dry, stable air can make it harder for tropical systems to organize, especially during the early part of hurricane season when Saharan dust is most common.
It helps fertilize the Amazon rainforest:
The dust contains nutrients like phosphorus that travel thousands of miles across the Atlantic and help replenish soils in the Amazon.
It can create dirty rain:
When thunderstorms or showers pull dust particles down from the atmosphere, the result can be dusty residue left behind on outdoor surfaces.
It can create stunning sunsets:
Those tiny particles in the atmosphere scatter sunlight, especially near sunrise and sunset, helping enhance reds, oranges, and pinks in the sky.
So while you may need to rinse off your car after the weekend, the same dust plume could also deliver some spectacular skies across Central Florida.