DALLAS — It's crazy to think dust particles from about 7,000 miles away can travel all the way across the Atlantic Ocean and appear in our North Texas skies. As we typically see in the summer, Saharan dust will be back in the area early this week.
The impacts are usually minimal for us in North Texas. You may notice hazy skies Monday to Wednesday due to the dust floating above the higher levels of the atmosphere. It can also increase respiratory and allergy problems for those who are more sensitive.
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But, it can also create beautiful sunsets! The small particles can really play some cool tricks with the light from the setting sun.
This dust layer also forms a mass of very dry, dusty air and moves over the Atlantic every three to five days.
The Saharan Air Layer is most active from mid-June to Mid-August. During the peak period, some outbreaks are known to reach further west, the NOAA says, as far as Texas. Over the Atlantic and Caribbean, it will reduce the development of any tropical storms or hurricanes.
Remember to download the WFAA app to check one of our dozens of local radars near you as well as the latest forecast, cameras and current conditions.
