During a recent trip to our resort in Orlando, Florida, the sun was obscured by a thick haze reminiscent of a New York City sky during ozone alerts when stagnant air is filled with pollutants from car emissions, power plant smoke, and industrial air contaminants.  But this haze was different. The atmosphere was laden with dust from Africa’s Sahara Desert

When powerful winds sweep across the African Sahara Desert, dust particles are carried thousands of miles across the Atlantic to the U.S., the Caribbean, and South America. This dusty air, rich in iron and phosphorous, is not just a traveler. It is a vital contributor to the growth of plants and phytoplankton in the ocean, and a lifeline for the rainforests of South America, where the soil is low in phosphorous.

While it is beneficial for the environment, it can cause health problems for some people. When breathed in, it can exacerbate symptoms for those with asthma, COPD, and allergies.

Saharan dust also inhibits the development of tropical cyclones. Its dryness suppresses cloud formation and limits the convection of warm, moist air necessary for storm development. These dust storms peak in the spring, but when they subside, tropical storms and hurricanes can form. This is why peak hurricane season is from August into September.

As the dust plumes from the Sahara reach the western horizon, they transform the sky into a canvas of breathtaking sunsets, a testament to the beauty and wonder of our natural world.