A massive plume of Saharan dust is expected to move across the Gulf Coast and reach Arkansas later this week, bringing hazy skies, vivid sunrises and sunsets, and reduced air quality.
Forecasters say the dust is expected to begin arriving across Arkansas by Thursday and Friday and could linger into next week.
The dust originates in the Sahara Desert in northern Africa and travels thousands of miles across the Atlantic before reaching the southern United States.
While the dust creates spectacular orange and red skies during sunrise and sunset, it can also reduce air quality because of fine airborne particles. People with asthma, allergies, or other respiratory conditions are encouraged to limit prolonged outdoor activity if air quality declines.
The dry, stable air associated with the dust plume may also suppress rainfall and contribute to hotter temperatures across Arkansas.
Meteorologists note that the same dry air can also reduce tropical storm development over parts of the Atlantic and Gulf regions.
If you HAVE INFORMATION YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE with the ArkansasRadio.com Radio Stations submit your event at:
To report a typo, please click here:
newsarkansasradio@gmail.com
Leave a Reply