On Monday, a significant cloud of dust from the Sahara Desert engulfed much of the Caribbean, marking the largest event of its type this year. The cloud stretched approximately 2,000 miles from Jamaica to beyond Barbados and around 750 miles from the Turks and Caicos Islands to Trinidad and Tobago. Local meteorologist Alex DaSilva from AccuWeather described the phenomenon as “very impressive.” The presence of the dust triggered respiratory issues, causing sneezing and watery eyes, prompting advisories for individuals with allergies or asthma to stay indoors or wear masks when outside.
The concentration of dust was notably high, reaching a .55 aerosol optical depth, the highest recorded this year. This measurement indicates the degree to which particles impede sunlight from reaching the ground, according to the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The dust plume is expected to move toward the southeastern U.S., affecting states like Florida, Louisiana, Alabama, and Mississippi later in the week. DaSilva noted that the dust typically loses much of its concentration by the time it reaches North America, although the Caribbean islands often experience a more intense impact.
The Saharan Air Layer, a dry and dusty air mass, originates in Africa and travels across the Atlantic from April to October. Its presence can inhibit tropical storms during the Atlantic hurricane season, which runs from June 1 to November 30. Historically, June and July see peak dust concentrations, with plumes forming at altitudes between 5,000 to 20,000 feet. A particularly notable event occurred in June 2020 when a massive cloud, dubbed the “Godzilla dust cloud,” significantly impacted the region.
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