The Saharan Desert’s sand will be blowing throughout the southern part of the country and it will reach Texas after traveling thousands of miles from Africa but residents are advised to take precaution according to a CW33 article from June 13. They say,
“The phenomenon isn’t unusual for May, June and early July, when thick dust plumes often show up in satellite images as milky, atmospheric swathes.
The Saharan dust usually travels about a mile above the surface of the Atlantic in a 2 to 2.5-mile-thick layer of very dry, dusty air, according to Dr. Jason Dunion, a University of Miami Hurricane researcher.
While much of the dust usually remains well above the ground, some dense plumes may cause ground-level air quality issues and cause irritation, especially for those with pre-existing respiratory problems.
In Central Texas, for example, the air quality is projected to drop down to the upper range of the “moderate” category from Monday through Friday. The dust may cause health concerns for a small number of unusually-sensitive people, Nexstar’s KXAN reports, and the elderly and very young are urged to limit their outdoor time.”
Despite these precautions, residents were also advised to be ready for a treat in the horizon as the sand clouds will provide amazing sunset sights according to a Dallas Morning News article from
“Dallas-Fort Worth residents will probably be treated to spectacular sunsets throughout the week, but only if they can bear the oppressive heat long enough to enjoy them.
The effect is caused by a layer of dust originating over the Sahara Desert, where masses of dust form during the summer and fall, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The layer can travel across the Atlantic, thousands of miles from its origin.
Instead, North Texas can expect hazy, fireball-colored sunsets throughout the week.”
The sand cloud will unlikely significantly affect the current temperature in Texas but it may help with lowering the temperature by a degree or two.