Dust In The Wind: Saharan Dust Arrives in Texas and Arkansas

Did you notice the sunset looked a little different last night? The Saharan Dust has been blowing westward across the Atlantic since the middle of June and has finally arrived in Arkansas, Texas, and other parts of the Ark-La-Tex.

Saharan Dust on the Move - What To Expect

The Saharan Air Layer arrived on Sunday evening, June 29, 2025, and is expected to hang around the area until Wednesday. The 2-mile-thick dry cloud plume originated from strong winds in the Sahel and Sahara in North Africa and traveled 6,000 miles across the Gulf of Mexico before reaching this region.

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Impact on the Area - Minimum Overall

According to the NOAA, the Sahara Dust is comprised mainly of silica, quartz, and other minerals, and carries the plume westward, causing very colorful red-orange sunsets and sunrises. The Gulf Coast, Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, and East Texas are expected to feel the effects through Wednesday. The good news is that the overall impacts this year should be minimal, with minor haze and short-lived at best.

Respiratory Problems Possible

However, the dust particles could affect people with respiratory problems such as asthma or COPD and may cause symptoms like coughing, an itchy throat, eye irritation, and difficulty breathing. The worst of the Saharan dust concentrations are expected Monday and Tuesday, and then it begins to move out of the area by late Wednesday.