Alabama
Saharan dust expected to arrive to Gulf Coast by the weekend. Will it affect Alabama?
Look ahead: Cool in Northeast; Wet from Texas to Carolinas
The Northeast is expected to remain cool while Texas through the Carolinas can experience wet weather.
If you see hazy skies across the coast of Alabama, rest assured that your eyes are not playing tricks on you.
A plume of Saharan dust is making a 6,000-mile journey from Africa, crossing the Atlantic and drifting into the southern U.S.
The dust can lead to stunning sunsets, reduced air quality and hazy conditions across the coastal region.
Here’s what to know:
What is Saharan Air Layer and how will it affect Alabama?
Each summer, a natural event called the Saharan Air Layer (SAL) sends dust from the Sahara Desert across the Atlantic Ocean. This dust often causes hazy skies and vivid sunrises and sunsets. Made up of fine sand and minerals like iron, quartz and clay, the dust can also affect air quality, worsening symptoms for people with allergies or respiratory issues.
When will the Saharan Dust arrive in Alabama?
While the peak usually happens from late June to mid-August, the WTVY First Alert Weather Team in Dothan is already tracking this year’s dust as it moves across the Caribbean. Forecasters expect the plume to reach the Gulf Coast by the weekend.
On the bright side, the dust can help stabilize the atmosphere, limiting the development of showers and thunderstorms. That means Alabama could be in for beautiful, sunny summer days ahead.
What is the Sahara Desert?
The Sahara Desert stretches across North America, covering an area roughly the size of the U.S. Spanning more than 3.5 million square miles, it’s the world’s largest hot desert, with temperatures reaching up to 136 degrees.
Despite the heat, the Sahara is home to a surprising mix of life, from people and wildlife to scattered oases, mountains and plateaus.
The dry, windy conditions of the Sahara help lift millions of tons of dust into the atmosphere each year. Some of that dust eventually reaches the southern U.S. and turns skies hazy from the Texas to the Florida Panhandle.
Jennifer Lindahl is a Breaking and Trending Reporter for the Deep South Connect Team for Gannett/USA Today. Connect with her on X @jenn_lindahl and email at jlindahl@gannett.com.
SPANISH FORT, Ala. (WALA) – The YMCA of South Alabama held a Healthy Kids Day at Spanish Fort Town Center Park.
Saturday’s event featured games and demonstrations, along with interactive activities featuring police and fire vehicles.
“I think just seeing so many organizations come together that serve kids, and just seeing kids have fun,” said Gwen Summer, CEO of the YMCA of South Alabama.
Marissa Rennaker, director of development for the YMCA of South Alabama, said the event exposed children to new activities.
“I think it’s been seeing all the kids laugh and try different things that they probably haven’t tried before,” Rennaker said. “There was a big group doing pickleball and yoga. We had ballet earlier, so just getting them out and exposed to things, I think it’s been great.”
The event was designed to kick off a healthy, active summer.
The YMCA of South Alabama is located at 27080 Pollard Road in Daphne.
Copyright 2026 WALA. All rights reserved.
Former Alabama star Will Anderson Jr. has reportedly signed a three-year, $150 million extension with the Houston Texans, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Anderson instantly solidified himself as one of the top defensive players in football throughout his rookie campaign in 2023. The star defensive end was named as the Rookie of the Year in 2023, as Anderson’s extension will officially keep him in Houston long-term, as well as make him the highest paid non-quarterback in NFL history.
Anderson recorded an impressive 12 sacks on the Texans’ defensive line in 2025, as the former Alabama star has made history following his head turning extension with Houston.
Anderson was nothing short of a superstar throughout his time at Alabama. Houston drafted the talented lineman with the third overall pick of the 2023 NFL draft, as Anderson was widely regarded as one of the top overall selections from his class.
The former Crimson Tide superstar has officially inked a massive extension with the Texans, as Anderson will undoubtedly continue playing a critical role on Houston’s defensive line over the coming seasons.
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Alabama head coach Rob Vaughn said that No. 4 Texas would be “hungry” against the No. 11Crimson Tide coming off its first series loss of the season to Texas A&M.
The Longhorns certainly were, as they pounced all over Vaughn’s team, striking out 17 Alabama batters en route to a 10-2 win.
“The story of the game was they just kind of kicked our tail in every phase tonight,” Vaughn said.
Alabama starter Tyler Fay had been elite over his past four starts, dating back to his complete-game no-hitter against Florida, allowing just six earned runs over the 26.0 innings pitched in those games. That changed instantly on Friday evening, as leadoff batter Aiden Robbins opened the game with a double and catcher Carson Tinney took him deep for a two-run blast moments later.
Texas added a third run in the first off an Ethan Mendoza RBI double, setting the tone for a dominant day. Alabama did not record a hit until the fourth inning as Longhorn ace Dylan Volantis tore through batters, striking out 12 over six innings.
Fay ended up going 5.1 innings, just the second time he did not make it through the sixth. The other, against Auburn, was only due to Vaughn wanting to keep his pitch count down in the wake of the no-hitter. He allowed season-highs of seven earned runs and 12 hits in the loss.
The Longhorns added a run each in the third and the fifth, before Alabama put the slightest amount of pressure on Texas in the top of the sixth. Bryce Fowler and Justin Lebron scored on the basepaths off an error and a wild pitch, respectively, to cut the Texas lead to three runs.
“You’ve got to find ways to score,” Vaughn said. “Those two guys just created two runs for us, and did a great job creating those runs and we crawl back in at 5-2, and it’s like, ‘Let’s go back to work…’ So thought we had that chance in those middle innings.”
The Longhorns effectively put the game to bed in the next frame, responding with three runs as Fay was relieved by Connor Lehman. Texas would add two more runs on the day, with the only silver lining coming in the fact that Alabama avoided a run-rule.
The Crimson Tide has now lost four straight SEC games after winning three consecutive series. Zane Adams takes the mound with the series on the line on Saturday, in a game that has been moved up to 12 p.m. CT due to anticipated rain in Austin.
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