Typically, a good downpour helps clean the ground, but storms in Florida this weekend may leave things dirtier than before.
A thick layer of Saharan dust, part of a massive plume covering much of the tropical Atlantic, is moving across the Florida Peninsula this weekend.
The dust usually travels between 5,000 and 15,000 feet in the air, but summer thunderstorms in Florida can reach heights of 20,000-40,000 feet.
While the dust can dry out the atmosphere, potentially reducing rainfall, the abundant tropical moisture may still lead to occasional downpours.
Rainfall amounts are expected to reach 1-2 inches across the central Florida Peninsula, with 2-3 inches possible in southwestern Florida.
With the Saharan layer mixed in, raindrops will carry dust particles, creating so-called “dirty rain,” which leaves a film on cars, windows, and homes.
“You have this creepy layer of gross stuff on your car; you’re like, it’s not pollen, it’s dust,” said FOX Weather Meteorologist Britta Merwin.
Dirty Rain in Florida (Photo: Picasa)“Look out for the dust collecting. Also, if it lands on your (air conditioner), it can clog it up, so (it’s a) good idea to spray off your units.”
Three-hour radar loop. Warning boxes are color-coded as: Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in yellow, Tornado Warnings in red, Tornado Warnings with confirmed tornado in purple, Flash Flood
The Saharan dust plume originates more than 3,000 miles away in northern Africa. Hot, dry air rises from the Saharan Desert, carrying fine particles of dust from the sands.
This dust-laden air ascends to the highest reaches of the atmosphere, where winds called the Easterlies or Trade Winds (blowing from east to west) carry the dust across the Atlantic Ocean into the Western Hemisphere.
The dry layer will inhibit tropical storm development and can give a milky haze to the air, creating colorful sunrises and sunsets.
While most of the dust stays aloft, some dust that reaches the surface can degrade air quality.