A significant cloud of Sahara Desert dust has enveloped the Caribbean, marking the largest occurrence of its kind this year. Spanning approximately 2,000 miles from Jamaica to beyond Barbados and 750 miles from the Turks and Caicos Islands to Trinidad and Tobago, the dust has created hazy skies. This phenomenon has prompted discomfort among residents, causing symptoms like sneezing, coughing, and watery eyes, particularly affecting those with allergies and asthma. Forecasters advise vulnerable individuals to stay indoors or wear masks outdoors due to the high concentration of dust, which registered an aerosol optical depth of .55— the highest this year.
Experts, including Alex DaSilva from AccuWeather, have noted the impressive scope of the dust cloud. It is expected to reach the southeastern United States, particularly Florida, Louisiana, Alabama, and Mississippi, later this week. However, DaSilva points out that clouds typically lose some of their concentration as they cross the eastern Caribbean, minimizing their impact on those regions.
The phenomenon, known as the Saharan Air Layer, forms over the Sahara from April to October and travels across the Atlantic. It plays a crucial role in blocking tropical wave formation during the Atlantic hurricane season, which occurs from June 1 to November 30. Notably, historical data shows that June and July tend to experience the highest concentrations of dust. A particularly notable event was in June 2020 when a “Godzilla dust cloud,” unprecedented in size and concentration for half a century, descended upon the Caribbean, highlighting the recurring and impactful nature of this atmospheric event.
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