Saharan Dust - What is it?

6/26/2020 (Permalink)

The Saharan Dust Plume is actually an annual occurrence that takes place each summer.  This cloud of dust known as the Saharan Air Layer develops off the coast of Africa when powerful winds from thunderstorms push dust and sand from the vast Saharan Desert up many thousands of feet into the atmosphere.  The dust gets caught in the trade winds and travels up to 4,000 miles making its way to the U. S.  The most significant effects will be seen here along the Gulf Coast as the dust plume is pushed into the Gulf of Mexico.  At SERVPRO of Mobile County, we are always ready for the catastrophic effects of hurricanes and other weather events.  Luckily, the Saharan Dust Plume doesn’t bring with it any dangers of property damage.  Impacts are mostly seen along the coastline of the Gulf of Mexico and include a whitening of the sky during daylight hours, redder sunsets and decreased air quality.