A dust storm the size of 48 US states is about to hit the east coast of the country this week and that’s an awful lot of dust.
EconomicTimes.com
A dust storm the size of 48 US states is about to hit the east coast of the country this week and that’s an awful lot of dust. A huge dust cloud from the Sahara Desert is heading towards the US coast and has already started affecting parts of Florida, according to US media reports. A massive cloud of dust from the Sahara Desert has begun drifting over Florida.
The storm, identified as a haboob, is part of a massive transatlantic dust plume triggered by collapsing thunderstorms and experts say it’s among the largest seen so far this year. Initially detected by satellite as it traveled over 4,000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean, the phenomenon is now visible from space as it sweeps across the US East and Gulf coasts. It began in Florida and is expected to continue spreading throughout the Southeast in the coming days, reports The Irish Star.
Alex DaSilva, lead hurricane expert for AccuWeather, said: “This is the biggest Saharan dust plume that we’ve seen so far this year. It is very common to see large plumes of Saharan dust coming across the Atlantic toward the United States in June and July.
“Many people will notice more colourful sunrises and sunsets, and a milky or hazy look in the sky.” Dust suspended about a mile above the ground produces dramatic visual effects — from reddish skies and vibrant sunrises and sunsets to a hazy, milky look during daylight hours. Scientists, including hurricane expert Jason Dunion, have called this event a “grand-scale haboob,” noting that it covers an area nearly as large as the entire contiguous United States.
What is a haboob?
A haboob is a type of intense dust storm typically caused by the collapse of a thunderstorm in arid or semi-arid regions. The term comes from the Arabic word “habb” meaning “to blow”. It was originally used to describe dust storms in the Sudan region of Africa, but it’s now commonly used to describe similar events in places like the Sahara Desert, the Middle East, the southwestern United States, and parts of Australia.
Although the phenomenon often paints the sky in stunning colors, health experts caution that the fine dust particles can worsen respiratory conditions.
Hurricane researcher Jason Dunion noted, “People with asthma and older adults tend to be more vulnerable during these dust events.” Officials recommend limiting time outdoors and keeping an eye on air quality levels. Another wave of Saharan dust is expected in the coming days, as such outbreaks commonly occur every three to five days during the peak season.