Massive Plume of Sahara Dust Makes Its Way Across the Atlantic.
June 26, 2020 Storm Watch Update: written by Brendan Hellebusch for Map-Collective.com.
Last week strong winds and updrafts in the Sahara sent trillions of dust and sand particles on a 5000-mile journey across the Atlantic Ocean. During the summer months of June and July, the Saharan Air Layer (a layer Earth’s atmosphere between 5000–15,000 ft above sea level is extremely dry; therefore, the east-to-west trade winds can carry particulates extreme distances.
“The travel of the massive plume of #Saharandust from #Africa to #Caribbean and #USA continues. It’s one of the most significant #SAL event in the past 50 years. #Copernicus #Sentinel5P captured ´Godzilla´ yesterday, June 23. #AirQuality #PolvoDelSahara” @PlatformAdamhttps://twitter.com/PlatformAdam/status/1275852836920795136/photo/1
The particles reached the Caribbean countries earlier this week, creating a dusty haze. Dust plumes are frequent this time of year; however, this dust plume appears to be abnormally large. Pablo Méndez Lázaro, from the University of Puerto Rico’s School of Public Health, stated. “This is the most significant event in the past 50 years. Conditions are dangerous in many Caribbean islands,”
Comparison of a sunny day with and without this years’ Sahara plume. Picture taken in Antigua’s international airport.
https://twitter.com/268Weather/status/1274746480230875137/photo/1
As the dust settles, people who have difficulty with allergies or other respiratory issues are recommended to take caution. Locals mention that it is common to get itchy eyes and a dry throat.
These particulates can be beneficial to the plant world and society by acting as a fertilizer for plants and suppressing the formation of hurricanes in the Atlantic.
The dust plume is now in the Gulf of Mexico, affecting Texas and Florida and their neighboring southeastern states.
