BRYAN, Texas (KBTX) – A plume of Saharan dust has crossed the Atlantic ocean, reaching the Gulf Coast this week. High pressure is now drawing that dust inland, bringing hazy skies and slightly reduced air quality to the Brazos Valley. As the upper-level ridge shifts east across Texas, the high’s position and circulation will funnel in a thicker surge of dust, with the highest concentrations expected early next week.
Hazy skies are set to return by or before next week as we welcome a big puff of dust from the Saharan Desert(KBTX)
When the dust arrives, it can irritate the sinuses, eyes, nose, and throat, and it’s often suggested to limit time outdoors if you’re sensitive. That said, while the hazy sky during the day might not be very appealing to the eye, Saharan dust often creates beautiful and colorful sunrises/sunsets, as the tiny dust particles scatter the sunlight passing through the atmosphere. Lastly, Saharan dust typically prevents tropical storm formation, as less sunlight reaching the ocean water results in cooler water temperatures. We will continue to monitor this plume closely. Be sure to stay tuned for updates, as this is the first big plume of dust for the summer, but it’s highly likely that it’s not our last.
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