Saharan Dust Turns Florida Sky Milky Gray, Impacts Rainfall

Saharan Dust Creates Milky Sky Over Florida, Impacting Rainfall and Hurricane Season Florida is experiencing an unusual weather event as a massive plume of Saharan dust, traveling 5,000 miles from Africa, blankets the state. The dust has turned the sky a milky gray and suppressed some rain, creating a unique atmospheric phenomenon. Meteorologists from FOX Weather explain that this Saharan dust is a common occurrence during this time of year, but this year's plume is particularly large and dense. "The Saharan dust is forecast to linger into the weekend and move into the Southeast and parts of the Gulf Coast states," reports one meteorologist. The dust's impact extends beyond the visual spectacle. The dry air associated with the dust can inhibit the formation of tropical storms and hurricanes, offering a temporary reprieve during the active hurricane season. However, the dust also mixes with rain, creating what is known as "dirty rain." While the dust may temporarily suppress hurricane formation, the long-term effects on weather patterns remain to be seen. The FOX Weather team continues to monitor the situation and provide updates as the dust plume moves across the Southeast.