Lookout Texas! Here Comes the Saharan Dust

The Northeast has been dealing with smoke from fires in Canada now it looks like Texas is going to have to deal with the Saharan dust.

Yes, it's back!

The traveling dust makes its long 5,000 + mile journey from Africa to Texas and other parts of the United States. Outbreaks of the Saharan dust normally occur every 3-5 days during the summer months, according to KXAN News’ Chief Meteorologist David Yeomans.

The upper-level weather pattern, thunderstorms, and steering trade winds are usually the culprit as the wind blows from east to west across the Atlantic Ocean, the dust trapped in the atmosphere is then carried into the Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico.

People with allergies are most affected by pesky dust as it can irritate a person's airways and cause respiratory problems.

Some symptoms could include sore throats, itchy eyes, and runny noses but the good news this is an irritant, not an allergy. Also, people with underlying diseases such as bronchial or asthma or COPD will be affected the most during this dust phase.

The amount of Saharan dust we get will depend on disturbances from the African monsoon that occurs around this time of year in Africa.

The Saharan dust does produce some pretty amazing sunsets as the upper dust particles released in the upper atmosphere give off a reddish tint and hue with the plumes creating a lavender color that makes the sunset look purple.

The bottom line is this, go inside if the dust becomes unbearable or bothersome otherwise, sit back and see some awe-inspiring sunsets.

To learn more about how the Saharan dust travels watch this video.