Overview

• The season’s largest Saharan dust plume is currently over the Caribbean and is expected to sweep across Florida by mid-week before spreading to Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi
• National Weather Service offices have issued air quality alerts for asthma and allergy sufferers as fine particulate matter reduces visibility and irritates respiratory systems
• Dry, mineral-rich air from the Saharan Air Layer is forecast to suppress tropical storm formation and weaken early hurricane-season waves
• Residents and tourists can expect hazy skies and enhanced sunrises and sunsets through the weekend as dust particles filter incoming sunlight
• Lingering dust is forecast to reach inland Gulf Coast areas and parts of Texas by late week, producing minor haze and muted sky colors