Mud from the Sahara desert will cloud the skies of the US southeast this week in an annual climate occasion that does not all the time attain the American continent.

The mud clouds kind because of an atmospheric phenomenon generally known as the Saharan Air Layer. Because the title suggests, they’ve made an extended journey throughout the Atlantic Ocean from their North African birthplace within the Sahara, the world’s largest scorching desert.

The Saharan Air Layer varieties when large portions of desert mud are stirred up by tropical atmospheric waves alongside the desert’s southern edge, ramping up round early June. Rising as much as 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) thick, these mud plumes are blown throughout the Atlantic Ocean the place they’re additional lifted by the denser, extra humid ocean air.

The mud follows this westward course yearly. Generally it might even veer north, arriving in Europe. Whereas the mud impacts air high quality, it might suppress hurricanes from forming on this normally tumultuous system. This can be excellent news, given NOAA is forecasting a hurricane-heavy season.

Caribbean islands together with Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Barbados, and Trinidad and Tobago have already been cloaked within the mud; a prelude of what is anticipated to quickly hit US states together with Florida, Louisiana, Alabama, and Mississippi.

The mud is anticipated to achieve the US on Wednesday, changing into thickest on Thursday and doubtlessly affecting visibility earlier than hitting some lighter winds that may enable it to dissipate. On the brilliant aspect, the clouds simply would possibly generate some beautiful sunrises and sunsets alongside the way in which. It could additionally create hotter temperatures, significantly at night time.

Individuals with bronchial asthma, allergic reactions, and different respiratory situations are warned to remain inside or use face masks if outside.