MIAMI – The big outbreaks of dry, dusty air from the sands of the Sahara that can spread thousands of miles through the Atlantic from Africa to the U.S. typically peak in late June and early July each year. Right on cue, another large dust plume is heading through the deep tropical Atlantic this week.
While the dust indicates the presence of stable conditions and, during big outbreaks, can put the lid on organized thunderstorm activity across the tropics, the dust can also be a symptom of robust disturbances behind the scenes moving from the coast of Africa, disturbances that efficiently transport the deep layer of mineral dust into the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico. Those same disturbances – called African Easterly Waves – are also the seedlings for some of our strongest hurricanes later in the year.
For now, dust will rule the roost in the coming days across the tropical Atlantic, with no organized tropical activity expected. By late week into next weekend, we may need to keep an eye on a stalled cold front over the north-central Gulf for tropical shenanigans. For us in South Florida, however, any mischief will stay well to our north and along the northern Gulf coast.
Local 10 Weather Authority: Sunday morning report
