Saharan Dust Covers South Florida

By Chris Green

  The dramatic sunsets of the Sahara Desert thrilled residents of South Florida this past week as a semi-yearly phenomenon made its appearance once again in Miami’s skies.

  Driven by the trade winds from the African continent, a layer of wind-driven sand and dust from the Sahara Desert made its trek across the Atlantic Ocean to South Florida.

  Many residents may have noticed the increased haze in the air, as visibility was limited due to the thickness of the dust.

  Additionally, the arrival of the airborne particles helped decrease the air quality in Miami, leading the National Weather Service Miami office to downgrade the air quality from “good” to “moderate.”

  The layer of Saharan dust hovered above South Florida at an altitude ranging from 10,000 feet to 15,000 feet above the ground, and introduced a dryness that stifled any storm activity from forming in most areas.

  Due to this, 24 hour rainfall totals on Monday, August 18, the height of the dust’s presence, numbered zero across all major cities in both Miami-Dade and Broward Counties.

  While making for hazy days, the phenomenon did create dramatic sunsets and sunrises, as the dust reflected the suns light to create a glow across the skies not normally seen with clearer air.

  The National Weather Service says the dust had begun to dissipate by late Wednesday afternoon.