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Saharan Dust Plume Could Impact Southeastern National Parks

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Published Date

June 25, 2020

A nearly 4,000-mile-long plume of dust from the Sahara Desert has traveled thousands of miles and is approaching the United States. This plume has already crossed the Caribbean and is expected to affect air quality in national park units across the Southeast. 

According to the National Park Service, dust storms like this occur every year, typically reaching North America on trade winds in June and July. "This year the dust plume is one of the largest ever recorded," a Park Service notice said.

The dust storm is expected affect air quality in Texas this Thursday through Saturday before moving back eastward across the Southeast and Tennessee Valley area, the Park Service said.

"Models indicate that the dust will still be very concentrated when it reaches the U.S. and many locations likely will experience unhealthy air quality," it added. "This dust cloud could bring dangerously high levels of particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10). High levels of particulate matter in the air can affect visibility and human health." 

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