Saharan Dust is here: How it impacts how the sky looks and the air quality

THAT SAHARAN DUST. THAT’S RIGHT CHRIS. SAHARAN DUST HAS MADE ITS WAY TO THE SUNSHINE STATE, AND IT COULD BE A FEW MORE DAYS UNTIL WE START TO SEE OUR BLUE SKY AGAIN. SAHARAN DUST ORIGINATES IN AFRICA AND TRAVELS THOUSANDS OF MILES ACROSS THE ATLANTIC OCEAN IN THE UPPER ATMOSPHERE AT AROUND TWO AND A HALF MILES UP. WHENEVER WE GET LARGE CONCENTRATIONS, THE SKY CAN LOOK A LITTLE MILKY AND OUR AIR QUALITY CAN ALSO BE IMPACTED. I SPOKE WITH GERALD HALE, A METEOROLOGIST WITH THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN MELBOURNE, WHO HAS THIS TO SAY ABOUT WHAT HAPPENS TO THE SKY. THE BIGGEST DIFFERENCE YOU’LL NOTICE IS IN THE MORNINGS AND THE EVENINGS, THE SKY IS A LITTLE MORE ORANGE OR GRAY LOOKING. THE SKY IS LESS BLUE. EVEN THE CUMULUS CLOUDS ARE A LITTLE HARDER TO SEE IN THE SKY. SO THAT’S THE DIFFERENCE. WHEN YOU LOOK UP HERE AND DOES HELP SCATTER AND REFRACT THE

South Florida is looking a little hazy these days. Saharan Dust has made its way to the Sunshine State and it could be a few more days until we see our blue sky again. Saharan Dust originates in Africa and travels thousands of miles across the Atlantic Ocean in the upper atmosphere at around two and a half miles up. Whenever we get large concentrations, the sky can look milky and our air quality can be impacted.Interactive radar: South Florida weather coverage from WPBF 25 NewsJared Heil with NWS Melbourne said, "You may also notice a little bit more difference in the air quality, especially if you're more susceptible to breathing difficulties, you may notice it."Florida's Air Quality Index is at a moderate level but should improve when the dust moves out.The latest: Weather coverage from WPBF 25 News Get the latest weather updates with the WPBF 25 News app. You can download it here.Heil also said, "The biggest difference you'll notice is in the mornings and evenings. The skies are a little more orange or gray looking. The sky is less blue. Even the cumulus clouds are a little harder to see in the sky so that’s the difference when you look up.” Saharan Dust helps scattered and refract the sunlight. Weather | Radar | Hurricanes | Traffic | uLocal | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

JUNO BEACH, Fla. —

South Florida is looking a little hazy these days.

Saharan Dust has made its way to the Sunshine State and it could be a few more days until we see our blue sky again.

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Saharan Dust originates in Africa and travels thousands of miles across the Atlantic Ocean in the upper atmosphere at around two and a half miles up. Whenever we get large concentrations, the sky can look milky and our air quality can be impacted.

Interactive radar: South Florida weather coverage from WPBF 25 News

Jared Heil with NWS Melbourne said, "You may also notice a little bit more difference in the air quality, especially if you're more susceptible to breathing difficulties, you may notice it."

Florida's Air Quality Index is at a moderate level but should improve when the dust moves out.

The latest: Weather coverage from WPBF 25 News

Hearst Owned

Get the latest weather updates with the WPBF 25 News app. You can download it here.

Heil also said, "The biggest difference you'll notice is in the mornings and evenings. The skies are a little more orange or gray looking. The sky is less blue. Even the cumulus clouds are a little harder to see in the sky so that’s the difference when you look up.”

Saharan Dust helps scattered and refract the sunlight.

Saharan Dust is here: How it impacts how the sky looks and the air quality

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