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.