Look a bit hazy outside? The Saharan dust has arrived in Central Florida and is here to stay through the weekend.With that being said, the air quality will be in the moderate range through the weekend.WESH 2’s First Warning Weather Chief Meteorologist Tony Mainolfi said the dust may even thicken over the weekend.Although the air isn’t the healthiest, Mainolfi said, there will be beautiful sunrises and sunsets. Why does this happen?Strong winds over the Sahara Desert loft dry, dusty air through the atmosphere. Storm activity in the Sahara Desert generates dust clouds.It’s carried westward by trade winds, making its way across the Atlantic Ocean to the U.S.This phenomenon peaks in the summer months.Once the dust reaches Florida, it has additional impacts, such as absorbing moisture and limiting widespread rainfall and storm coverage. The dust can also affect people’s and animals’ health.First Warning Weather Stay with WESH 2 online and on-air for the most accurate Central Florida weather forecast.RadarSevere Weather AlertsDownload the WESH 2 News app to get the most up-to-date weather alerts. The First Warning Weather team includes First Warning Chief Meteorologist Tony Mainolfi, Eric Burris, Marquise Meda, Cam Tran and Victoria Wisniewski.What is Impact Weather?Impact Weather suggests weather conditions could be disruptive or a nuisance for travel and day-to-day activities.What is a Severe Weather Warning Day?A Severe Weather Warning Day suggests weather conditions that could potentially harm life or property. ————————————————DOWNLOAD the free WESH 2 News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.
Look a bit hazy outside? The Saharan dust has arrived in Central Florida and is here to stay through the weekend.
With that being said, the air quality will be in the moderate range through the weekend.
WESH 2’s First Warning Weather Chief Meteorologist Tony Mainolfi said the dust may even thicken over the weekend.
Although the air isn’t the healthiest, Mainolfi said, there will be beautiful sunrises and sunsets.
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With the #Sarahan dust around the air quality will be in the moderate range through the weekend so not the healthiest but their will be some cool looking sunrise and sunsets with the dust around. Stay with #weshwx for updates. pic.twitter.com/qZRZATFxA5
— Tony Mainolfi (@TMainolfiWESH) July 9, 2026
Why does this happen?
Strong winds over the Sahara Desert loft dry, dusty air through the atmosphere. Storm activity in the Sahara Desert generates dust clouds.
It’s carried westward by trade winds, making its way across the Atlantic Ocean to the U.S.
This phenomenon peaks in the summer months.
Once the dust reaches Florida, it has additional impacts, such as absorbing moisture and limiting widespread rainfall and storm coverage. The dust can also affect people’s and animals’ health.
First Warning Weather
Stay with WESH 2 online and on-air for the most accurate Central Florida weather forecast.
Download the WESH 2 News app to get the most up-to-date weather alerts.
The First Warning Weather team includes First Warning Chief Meteorologist Tony Mainolfi, Eric Burris, Marquise Meda, Cam Tran and Victoria Wisniewski.
What is Impact Weather?
Impact Weather suggests weather conditions could be disruptive or a nuisance for travel and day-to-day activities.
What is a Severe Weather Warning Day?
A Severe Weather Warning Day suggests weather conditions that could potentially harm life or property.
————————————————
DOWNLOAD the free WESH 2 News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.