Hazed and Confused: Saharan Dust Plume Blankets Austin, Impacts Air Quality

A cloud of Saharan dust has come to Central Texas from North Africa, bringing tiny particles that will start to settle over Austin on Friday. The result was less clear skies, less visibility, and worsening air pollution for people who are sensitive to it.

As early as June every summer, storms in the Saharan Desert stir up dust that is carried across the Atlantic. Anton Cox, who runs the air quality program for the Capital Area Council of Governments, said this. "Yeah, it's pretty crazy."

Strong trade winds carry the fine dust thousands of miles at heights of one to three miles. By early June, it often covers parts of Texas. Hazy weather can make things look weird, and it can even make sunsets look better, but it can also be bad for your health.

Cox said, "It will irritate your throat and make you cough and other things like that." "We do see more hospital visits for respiratory illnesses like asthma around the world."

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) says that the air quality will be somewhat affected until at least Monday. The quality will deteriorate due to smoke from wildfires and crop burns in Mexico and Central America.

Officials are advising people, especially those with asthma, COPD, or heart conditions, to stay indoors and check the local air quality forecasts before engaging in strenuous activity. Masks can help keep you from breathing in the small particles.

Cox said that the effects of Saharan dust and wildfire smoke together make this early June to mid-June time a double whammy. But there is some good news. The dust from the Sahara helps prevent hurricanes from forming, nourishes the soil, and even creates beautiful sunsets across the region.

In an interesting turn of events, this dust contains the fossilized remains of microorganisms that lived in ancient lakes. This makes it a geological time capsule that is blowing around.

So, if you're coughing this weekend under orange skies, blame the dust from Africa. Take a moment to enjoy the strange beauty it brings.