Reviewed by: Pat Byington
The latest Saharan Air Layer is headed for Alabama—here’s what to know
Reading time: 2 minutes
This week, states along the Gulf Coast and in the Southeast will experience an annual occurrence known as the Saharan Air Layer, a 2,000-mile-wide dust plume from the Saharan Desert.
Don’t be alarmed, however. This is not a dangerous weather event. However, it does have some significant effects on Alabama weather.
What to expect from the Saharan Air Layer
The Saharan Air Layer definitely makes itself known while in the area, and has some lasting effects.
According to WAAY-31 meteorologist Grace Anello, in Huntsville the Saharan Air Layer has a direct effect on our hurricane formations and our sunrises and sunsets.
“For hurricanes to form you need a stormy disturbance, abundant moisture in the atmosphere and specifically water in the ocean warmer than 80 degrees. When the Saharan dust comes into the region, it has two effects: it blocks and scatters the sun’s rays so the water doesn’t get quite as hot; but it is also sand, so it absorbs the moisture in the air, which makes for much weaker hurricanes.”
Grace Anello, WAAY-31 Morning Meteorologist
Colorful sunsets from desert dust
The dust is so high in the atmosphere that it will not affect air quality here in Alabama, but will cause some hazy skies and colorful sunsets across the Gulf Coast.
Anello said each dust particle reflects the sun’s light and its rays, which scatters the light field across the sky. This leads to more vibrant colors in the sky, including pinks, reds and oranges at sunrise and sunset.
“This is my favorite part (of the Saharan Air Layer). We see more vibrant sunrises and sunsets because the dust particles act as a prism, very similar to what happens with rainbows.”
Grace Anello, WAAY-31 Morning Meteorologist
According to Accuweather, the dust plume is expected to reach south Florida by the afternoon or evening of June 4, then push further north to the rest of Florida and parts of Georgia and South Carolina by June 5.
It should reach Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama by the end of the week.
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