Saharan Dust Causes Air Quality Health Advisory In Oklahoma

A Saharan dust plume invaded Texas this week and the dust is now creeping into Oklahoma. This dust has lead the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (ODEQ) to issue an air quality health advisory for most of Oklahoma.

What is a Saharan Dust plume?

Winds move dust from the Sahara Desert in Africa across the ocean and into the United States. A dust cloud, or plume, is created and enters various areas of America. On Wednesday, July 31, a Saharan Dust plume entered central Texas, and now south winds are bringing that dust into Oklahoma.

The dust causes hazy skies but it can pose a health risk for sensitive groups, such as those with pre-existing breathing conditions, like asthma or chronic bronchitis.

What is Oklahoma's air quality?

As south winds bring Saharan dust into Oklahoma from Texas, the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality have issued an air quality health advisory for most of Oklahoma. Counties in southwest, northern, central and eastern Oklahoma are all under a USG (unhealthy for sensitive groups) air quality health advisory.

According to the report from ODEQ, the dust and the excessive heat warning "has the potential to make breathing difficult for some" and "elevated incoming background levels will be enough for the AQI to reach Unsafe for Some Groups (USG) especially over central Oklahoma where dust plumes are denser."

What should sensitive groups do during an air quality health advisory?

ODEQ urges those with asthma or any respiratory disease to limit prolonged exertion and limit exposure to smoky areas. This also includes people with heart disease. The dust may also cause minor allergy issues for some.

@spiveyweather Did you know that millions of tons of nutrient-rich dust from the Saharan Desert is transported across the Atlantic every year? This dust may cause minor allergy issues, but it also fertilizes ocean life and the Amazon rainforest and plays a role in suppressing hurricanes.From late spring to early fall, the Saharan Air Layer (SAL) sometimes brings a haze to Texas skies, creating stunning orange horizons at sunrise and sunset. 🌅Discover more fascinating facts about Saharan dust and its impact on our environment @KSAT12 | SATX local news #Science #SaharahDust #Weather ♬ original sound - Sarah Spivey