A giant cloud of dust from the Sahara desert, shown here over Cuba on June 23, is sweeping across Texas. The dust raises the particulate matter in the air, making for more colorful sunrises but also potentially exacerbating respiratory issues. Image from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration satellite
A thick cloud of dust from Africa’s Sahara desert has arrived in the Highland Lakes, obscuring long-range visibility and turning the sky an opaque color.
Clouds of dust from the Sahara often blow across the Atlantic, driven by easterly winds, so it’s not uncommon for these plumes to appear in Central Texas. However, this cloud is even larger and thicker than usual.
“Although it is fairly common for clouds of Saharan dust to reach the U.S. coastline from late June to mid-August, this week’s dust cloud is quite impressive for its size, density, and the amount of dry, dusty air that it contains,” said Bob Rose, Lower Colorado River Authority meteorologist, in an email Wednesday, June 24. “It currently spans about 3,500 miles across the Atlantic from the west coast of Africa to Central America and contains less than half the moisture of the normal tropical atmosphere.”
The cloud is made of very fine sand, which will fall from the sky in small amounts. The dust is harmless, but it could exacerbate respiratory issues.
“If the sky is clear, the added dust will likely lead to more colorful sunrises and sunsets over the next few days,” Rose said.
Forecasts show more dust will arrive during the early to middle part of next week, June 28-July 4.
News stories, staff photos, and other online content are copyrighted property of Victory Media. Reproduction in part or in whole is prohibited without the express written consent of the publisher.
This Content Submission and License Agreement (“Agreement”) is entered into by and between Victory Media Marketing LLC (“Company,” “we,” or “us”) and you (“User,” “you,” or “Submitter”) upon your submission of content through our websites’ See it, Share It form.
Submitted Content “Submitted Content” means any news tips, text, descriptions, images, photographs, videos, audio files, recordings, or other materials you upload, submit, or provide to us via the news tips forms on DailyTrib.com, KBEYfm.com, 101highlandlakes.com, or any other websites owned or operated by Victory Media Marketing LLC.
License Grant By submitting any Submitted Content, you hereby grant to Company a worldwide, non- exclusive, perpetual, irrevocable, royalty-free, fully sublicensable, and transferable license to use, reproduce, modify, adapt, publish, translate, create derivative works from, distribute, perform, display, and otherwise exploit the Submitted Content in any form or medium (now known or hereafter developed), including but not limited to:
Publishing on DailyTrib.com, KBEYfm.com, 101highlandlakes.com, other Company websites, apps, newsletters, and social media platforms (such as Facebook, Instagram, X, YouTube, etc.).
Editing, formatting, or combining with other content for news, promotional, archival, or commercial purposes.
Allowing third parties (e.g., affiliates, syndication partners) to use it under the same terms. You retain ownership of the copyright in your Submitted Content, subject to the license granted above.
User Representations and Warranties You represent and warrant that:
You are at least 18 years old and have the full right and authority to grant the rights in this Agreement.
The Submitted Content is your original work or you have obtained all necessary permissions, consents, and releases (including from any individuals appearing in photos/videos or owners of any third-party materials).
The Submitted Content does not infringe any third-party intellectual property rights, privacy rights, publicity rights, or defame any person.
It complies with all applicable laws and does not contain viruses, malware, or prohibited content.
You will not submit false, misleading, or confidential information.
No Compensation You understand and agree that you will receive no compensation for the submission or use of your Submitted Content.
Indemnification You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Company, its affiliates, officers, directors, employees, and agents from any claims, damages, liabilities, losses, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) arising from your breach of this Agreement or any third-party claims related to your Submitted Content.
Moral Rights and Publicity You waive any moral rights or rights of attribution in the Submitted Content to the extent permitted by law. Company may use your name, username, or likeness in connection with the Submitted Content if applicable.
Termination and Removal Company may, in its sole discretion, edit, refuse to post, or remove any Submitted Content at any time without notice. This Agreement survives any termination.
Governing Law This Agreement is governed by the laws of the State of Texas, without regard to conflict of laws principles. Any disputes shall be resolved exclusively in the courts located in Burnet County, Texas.
Entire Agreement This Agreement constitutes the entire understanding between the parties and supersedes all prior agreements. Modifications must be in writing. By submitting content, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by this Agreement.
