Heads Up, Shreveport! Gigantic Saharan Dust Cloud on the Way

A cloud of Saharan dust is headed for the Gulf Coast region and it could have an impact on the Shreveport area next week.

NOAA is tracking this massive dust cloud. Just as we see the storms move out of the area, we could see a haze move into the region. Florida will be the first state impacted by this cloud of dust. But several states in the southeast will see the cloud roll in.

This massive plume of Saharan dust is currently drifting west across the Atlantic.

What Will the Saharan Dust Look Like?

When the dust rolls into a region, you can expect a hazy sky and a bit of a problem with air quality. This dust cloud is headed for the southeast U.S. this weekend, but it will slowly move inland over the next week.

It will stretch from the coast up to Baton Rouge, Alexandria, Shreveport and into the Dallas metro. But once the dust reaches our area, it won’t be as dense as it will be when it moves across Florida. But folks who have respiratory issues might still experience some breathing troubles when the dust cloud moves into the Shreveport area.

READ MORE: Saharan Dust cloud impact in 2024

When Will the Saharan Dust Arrive in Shreveport?

We could see a thin layer of this dust move into the region by Monday or Tuesday. It will get heavier as the week progresses. The dust cloud will be in the area for several days. It won’t move out until the end of next week.

What is Saharan dust?

This dust obviously comes from the Sahara Desert. Storms in that region swirl up the dust and it gets pushed into the atmosphere. To keep it pretty simple, winds pick up the dust and move it across the Atlantic Ocean.

This Saharan dust happens every year during the summer months.

With this dust clouds, we could get a bit of a benefit. It typically brings some very colorful sunrises and sunsets.

Can the Saharan Dust Be Harmful?

This dust can cause some eye and skin irritation. You are encouraged to stay indoors when the cloud is thick in your community. Folks with allergies could experience problems if this dust is heavy in our area.

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Gallery Credit: KATELYN LEBOFF