Latest news with #SaharanDust
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Science
- Yahoo
Giant 'Saharan dust' plume swirls around Africa a week before it hit Florida
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. QUICK FACTS Where is it? Mid-Atlantic Ocean, off the coast of West Africa What's in the photo? A giant, comma-shaped cloud of Saharan dust being blown out to sea Which satellite took the photo? GOES-19 When was it taken? May 28, 2025 Satellites recently snapped a giant cloud of "Saharan dust" blowing out to sea from the world's largest hot desert. The hazy mass later traveled more than 4,000 miles (6,500 kilometers) to North America, where it polluted the skies of Florida and other states. In the early hours of May 28, 2025, a large cloud of dust and sand began to blow out from the Sahara and over the Atlantic Ocean, according to a statement from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Around a week later, on June 4, the cloud made landfall in Florida, with the plume also reaching Louisiana, Texas and other parts of the Gulf Coast. En route, it also briefly filled the skies of several Caribbean nations, including Puerto Rico and the Bahamas. A photo captured by the GOES-19 satellite, which is co-run by NASA and NOAA, revealed the cloud as it first began its transatlantic journey. At the time, it covered an area of roughly 240,000 square miles (620,000 square km) between Cabo Verde — an archipelago of 10 volcanic islands in the mid-Atlantic — and the coast of West Africa, including the shorelines of Mauritania, Senegal, Gambia and Guinea-Bissau. The dust cloud was a "particularly robust, comma-shaped plume," representatives from the Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere (CIRA) at Colorado State University wrote on Bluesky. However, soon after the photo was taken, the cloud dispersed, making it "appear larger in size." Astronauts on board the International Space Station (ISS) also captured shots of the plume as it moved across the Atlantic, Live Science's sister site reported. Related: See all the best images of Earth from space In Florida, the plume caused a brief reduction in air quality that may have impacted people with respiratory conditions. The state's skies remained hazy for around 48 hours before the majority of the dust settled — some of which was later visible on windows and cars. A second, smaller plume reached the U.S. between June 13 and 15. Saharan dust can have several other surprising effects. "When it reaches the U.S., it can cause hazy skies as well as vivid sunrises and sunsets as the sun's rays scatter the dust in the atmosphere," NOAA representatives wrote. "It can even suppress thunderstorm development over locations where the dust is especially thick." Saharan dust gets whipped up by strong gusts of wind, which occur much more frequently in deserts than other environments, and can reach several miles above Earth's surface, according to the U.K. Met Office. This mainly happens between late spring and early fall. Once the dust is airborne, it hovers above the desert in a region known as the "Saharan Air Layer" — a roughly 2.5-mile-wide (4 km) band of very dry air that forms around 1 mile (1.6 km) above the Sahara desert. Every three to five days, the accumulated dust gets blown out to sea, and if there is enough of it, the particulates form large plumes that can travel across entire oceans, according to NOAA's Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory, which helps monitor the Saharan Air Layer. MORE EARTH FROM SPACE —Successive lightning strikes illuminate eye of tropical cyclone in rare photos —3 hurricanes form a perfect line before smashing into land —Near-lifeless 'Land of Terror' looks like an alien landscape in the Sahara Saharan dust plumes of various sizes reach the U.S. every year, usually peaking in intensity between June and August. One of the most famous examples in recent years was the "Godzilla" plume, which hit large parts of the southern U.S. in June 2020. During this two-week-long event, the amount of dust reached the highest levels since satellites began tracking plumes 18 years previously, according to a 2021 study.
CBS News
7 days ago
- Climate
- CBS News
South Florida in for a hot and humid week, with "feels like" temps in the upper 90s
South Florida is in for another hot and humid week with a low chance of rain. Monday got off to a warm and muggy start with temperatures in the low to mid 80s. A few stray showers moved across the area. The chance of rain is low for the day, only about 10%, and any showers that develop will likely occur in the morning along the coast and then push inland and to the west by the afternoon. Highs will soar to around 90 degrees in the afternoon under mostly sunny skies and it will feel like the mid to upper 90s when you factor in the humidity. There is a moderate risk of rip currents along the Atlantic beaches and the UV index is extreme. There are no alerts or advisories for boaters along the Atlantic or Florida Keys waters. Low chances of rain for the week. NEXT Weather High pressure remains in control and the chance of rain stays low at only 10% for Tuesday. Isolated showers will be possible in the morning and then the wet weather will be steered to our west with the onshore breeze. Highs will stay seasonably hot, around 90 degrees, in the afternoon. Mid to late week the chance of rain rises only slightly with the potential for spotty showers. Highs will climb to 90 degrees. Some Saharan dust may return to South Florida later in the week. The tropics remain quiet for now and tropical systems are not expected over the next 7 days.
CBS News
13-06-2025
- Climate
- CBS News
Hot and hazy weekend ahead for South Florida
South Florida is in for a hazy and hot weekend. Friday morning got off to a warm and muggy start with temperatures mostly in the low 80s. While Miami-Dade and Broward were mostly dry, a few showers moved across parts of the Florida Keys. Friday afternoon, temperatures will climb into the upper 80s, but it will feel like the upper 90s and 100s when you factor in the humidity. The chance of rain is low, only about 20%. Saharan dust impact air quality NEXT Weather A plume of Saharan dust is not only leading to lower rain chances across South Florida, it's also impacting air quality. Currently the air quality is moderate for most of South Florida. Those with respiratory conditions, or are unusually sensitive to particle pollution, should consider reducing their time and activity level while outdoors. The dust will also lead to hazy skies at times. There is a moderate risk of rip currents along the Atlantic beaches. There are no alerts for boaters over the Atlantic waters but small craft should exercise caution over the Keys waters. Father's Day forecast NEXT Weather Over the weekend, the chance of rain remains low, at about 20%, with a few showers possible on Saturday and Sunday. The southeast breeze will steer most of the activity towards the interior and west coast. Lows will remain in the low 80s. Highs will be seasonable in the low 90s. On Sunday, Father's Day, it will be mostly dry with hazy sunshine and afternoon highs near 90 degrees. The drier air and Saharan dust sticks around through early next week and the chance of rain is only 10% Monday through Wednesday.
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Saharan Dust moves into Florida as National Hurricane Center tracks 3 tropical waves
Saharan Dust over portions of Florida is keeping skies hazy. It's also helping inhibit the development of any tropical systems. The Atlantic is likely to remain quiet through the end of June, despite some early hints at tropical formation, according to AccuWeather. ➤ Track all active storms ➤ Weather alerts via text: Sign up to get updates about current storms and weather events by location Reduced air quality and rain chances are in the forecast today, June 13, as a plume of Saharan Dust remains above South Florida, according to the National Weather Service Miami. Dust, along with wind shear, help suppress tropical development but also brings hazy skies and colorful sunrises and sunsets. The first named storm in the Atlantic basin will be Andrea. Here's the latest advisory from the National Hurricane Center as of 2 a.m. Friday, June 13: The National Hurricane Center is monitoring three tropical waves in the Atlantic: Tropical wave 1: An eastern Atlantic tropical wave is near 32W from 15N southward, and moving westward around 11 mph. Tropical wave 2: A tropical North Atlantic tropical wave is over the eastern Caribbean Islands at 61.5W from 18N southward, and moving westward at 11 to 17 mph. Tropical wave 3: A southwestern Caribbean tropical wave is near 80W from SW of Jamaica southward across western Panama, and moving westward at around 11 to 17 mph. "The average first named storm in the Atlantic is June 20, but development over the central and eastern basin looks unfavorable through June at this time," said AccuWeather lead hurricane forecaster Alex DaSilva. "We still expect the Central American gyre to form later this month, and its formation could spur tropical development in waters in the western Caribbean or southwestern Gulf." Now is the time to prepare for a hurricane, before a storm is approaching. Saharan dust is expected to help keep the tropics quiet into the week of June 16, according to AccuWeather. Frequent pockets of dust are moving across the Atlantic from Africa, where they'll affect Florida as they move into the Gulf. A plume of Saharan Dust is expected to arrive in South Florida starting Friday, June 13, according to the National Weather Service Miami. The arrival of the dust should decrease rain chances starting Friday. The National Hurricane Center is tracking two disturbances in the eastern Pacific, including one expected to become the next named storm later today, June 13. is located west of southwestern Mexico. Maximum sustained winds are near 35 mph, with higher gusts. Strengthening is expected and the system is forecast to become a tropical storm later today and continue strengthening Saturday as it moves parallel to the coast of southwestern Mexico. Impacts to land are expected to be 2-4 inches of rain, with localized amounts of 6 inches across the Mexican states of Guerrero, Michoacán, and Colima through the weekend. The next named storm to form in the eastern Pacific, which has its own list of storms separate from the Atlantic basin, will be Dalila. Also in the eastern Pacific, an area of low pressure is expected to develop late this weekend or early next week near the coast of Central America. Environmental conditions appear conducive for some gradual development. Historically, tropical cyclones form close to the U.S. in June, with the most common locations being the northwestern Caribbean and the eastern Gulf, according to Dr. Ryan Truchelut, chief meteorologist with WeatherTiger. Truchelut is a Florida meteorologist who works with the USA TODAY Network. "None of the reputable forecast models are showing a realistic chance of anything tropical forming on the Atlantic side of Central America through mid-month." ➤ WeatherTiger: False alarms, beneficial rain and a dusty start to Florida storm season The exception is the GFS model, which is predicting a Caribbean tropical storm will spin up in 10 to 12 days, then move generally northward, Truchelut said. "The GFS has a persistent and well-known bias for incorrectly predicting development in the Caribbean at this specific time of year," Truchelut said. "All told, while something could eventually spin up in two or three weeks, the GFS' frequent false alarms should be disregarded." A "ghost hurricane" is a term used to describe a tropical storm or hurricane that appears in a forecast model but which doesn't happen in reality, according to CNN. Pensacola, western Panhandle: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 79. Tallahassee, central Panhandle: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1 p.m. It'll be mostly sunny, with a high near 90. Heat index values as high as 100. Jacksonville, North/Northeast Florida: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 3 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 91. Heat index values as high as 100. Daytona Beach to Stuart, East/Central Florida: Best chances for showers and storms today are across the interior west of I-95. Highs reaching the upper 80s to low 90s, with peak heat indices 100 to 103. West Palm Beach to Naples, South/Southwest Florida: Reduced air quality and rain chances are in the forecast today as a plume of Saharan Dust remains above South Florida Fort Myers to Sarasota, West/Southwest Florida: There's a chance for showers today, with a high near 88 and heat index as high as 102. The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through Nov. 30. Ninety-seven percent of tropical cyclone activity occurs during this time period, NOAA said. The Atlantic basin includes the northern Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea and Gulf of America, as the Gulf of Mexico is now known in the U.S. per an order from President Trump. NOAA and the National Hurricane Center are now using Gulf of America on its maps and in its advisories. The peak of the season is Sept. 10, with the most activity happening between mid-August and mid-October, according to the Hurricane Center. Systems currently being monitored by the National Hurricane Center include: Tropical cyclone is the generic term used by the National Weather Service, NOAA and the National Hurricane Center for any tropical system, even if it's in the tropical Atlantic basin. To be more precise, a tropical cyclone is a "rotating, organized system of clouds and thunderstorms that originates over tropical or subtropical waters and has closed, low-level circulation," NOAA said. Once maximum sustained winds reach 74 mph, what it is called is determined by where it originated: : for storms in the North Atlantic, central North Pacific, and eastern North Pacific. : for storms in the Northwest Pacific. : for storms in the South Pacific and Indian Ocean. We will update our tropical weather coverage daily. Download your local site's app to ensure you're always connected to the news. And look for our special subscription offers here. This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Hurricane season in Florida quiet so far. Saharan Dust is helping
CBS News
10-06-2025
- Climate
- CBS News
Scattered showers across South Florida late morning into the afternoon
Grab an umbrella before you head out the door because scattered showers and storms are in the forecast for Tuesday. The NEXT Weather team tracked a few showers across the area in the early morning hours, and additional rain is on the way, especially for the late morning through early afternoon. Keep an umbrella handy. NEXT Weather The combination of rain and clouds should help to keep temperatures in the mid to upper 80s across the area, but "feels like" temperatures will climb to the mid to upper 90s. The chance of rain trends even higher for Wednesday and Thursday as showers will grow more widespread throughout the afternoon hours on both days. While isolated storms with heavy downpours, lightning and strong wind can't be ruled out, the overall severe weather threat is low. Another round of Saharan dust will arrive late week. NEXT Weather Saharan dust, which hung over South Florida late last week into the weekend, has cleared out, but another round is set to arrive late Thursday into Friday. This next batch of dust is expected to linger throughout the upcoming weekend and will help to reduce the chance of rain to 20% for Sunday - Father's Day. Afternoon highs will remain in the upper 80s through the next seven days.
