US Is About To Be Hit By The Biggest Saharan Dust Cloud In 50 Years

Every year, the United States is hit by massive dust clouds originating from the Sahara desert. These dust clouds travel through the Atlantic Ocean to reach the southern area of the country. Typically, by the time they come to the Caribbean, they start to fade away. But 2020 is a usual year for sure. This year, the Saharan dust clouds are so thick and opaque that they can be seen even from the International Space Station.

Called the “Godzilla dust cloud,” the 5,600-km-long cloud started its journey from North Africa and traveled 8,047km to reach the southern United States.

The region will be loomed over by a massive plume of dust from the Sahara desert.

Patrick Blood, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service, says that the dust cloud is an extremely dry layer of air containing very fine dust particles. The phenomenon happens every summer.

This year’s dust cloud is the densest it has ever been in 50 years, according to several meteorologists.

The Saharan dust plume will deteriorate the air quality in Florida, Texas, and other states. These regions have recently experienced a spike in the number of COVID-19 confirmed cases.

Environmental health professor Gregory Welleniu at School of Public Health, Boston University, says that there is evidence suggesting the link between COVID-19 and air pollution.

As a result of the massive plume of dust, the skies will become hazy, leading to lower visibility.

According to health officials, the phenomenon could weaken the respiratory systems of people having COVID-19 and even some healthy people. Residents in the affected areas are recommended to stay inside their houses as much as they can.

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