MIAMI — Parts of Florida and the rest of the Gulf Coast will see more hazy skies through the weekend, due to a plume of Saharan dust that’s spreading across the region.
The blanket of African dust, working together with a heat dome that’s moving into the Southeast, will combine to bring feels-like temperatures approaching 110 degrees into early next week.
The dust is also part of a massive plume stretching across parts of the Atlantic Ocean that’s contributing to the ongoing pause in the Atlantic hurricane season.
The dust has traveled more than 5,000 miles across the ocean and is expected to spread across the Gulf through the weekend, reaching parts of South Texas by Monday.
The Saharan Air Layer is a mass of very dry, dusty air that forms over the African desert and is lofted high into the atmosphere by strong winds.
While its dry air typically suppresses tropical storm development, it also heavily impacts Florida and portions of the Gulf Coast states with warmer temperatures and reduced air quality, the FOX Forecast Center said.
Dust was spotted on Florida Department of Transportation cameras over Miami on Wednesday afternoon.
FOX Weather Correspondent Brandy Campbell shared video from her airplane seat as Saharan dust blanketed the Florida Everglades on Thursday.
By Sunday, the highest dust concentration will expand across the entire Gulf of America, bringing dust to portions of South Texas on Monday.
The dust is forecast to remain around the Gulf Coast and Florida through most of next week.
Beyond the vibrant sunsets and milky skies, the dust could act as a thermal blanket, allowing temperatures to soar, the FOX Forecast Center said.
A Heat Advisory is in effect across the entire Florida Peninsula through Friday evening.
The dust is also reducing air quality across the state and could become an issue for groups with respiratory conditions this weekend.
The U.S. Virgin Islands in the Caribbean will also be affected by the dust, with the Department of Health warning residents of the extreme temperatures and the dust.
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