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Dust From the Sahara Headed to South Florida Skies

Particles from the desert travel some 6,000 miles in this annual event
Related: Earth

A Saharan dust storm seen moving over northwest Africa and the Mediterranean Sea on June 25. (NASA)

Sunsets in Southern Florida are likely to get a lot more spectacular this week. The surprising reason? Dust clouds from the North African Sahara Desert are rolling into the region. According to The Miami Herald, the phenomenon occurs every year. Dust particles from the Sahara sweep thousands of miles over the globe and into Florida skies. They're expected to reach the state Thursday or Friday of this week. The dust creates a haze in the sky, typically resulting in colorful sunsets.

In an interview with The Palm Beach Post, Bob Ebaugh, a weather service specialist at the National Weather Service, said residents shouldn't be greatly affected by the dust. "It really should not be a hazard to anybody," Ebaugh told the Post. "This is a phenomenon that occurs just about every summer."

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Robert Bienenfeld

Now if dust particles come from Sahara, so quickly, what about radiation particles from Japan with the BWR Nuclear Reactor that melted down. There is a cover-up probably from G.E..

July 23 2012 at 10:27 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
dpj1959

This has been going on for millennium...It is what gives South Florida its orange hue...

July 22 2012 at 8:52 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
jmg62

Usually when a large "blow" of sand comes off the Sahara towards the Lower Caribbean hurricanes form from the reflected heat off the particles heating the surrounding air when all other conditions are right. That it's heading this far above the equator is a better than average indicator hurricanes won't develop. Sunsets should be very pleasant.

July 22 2012 at 5:33 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply