‘Godzilla’ Saharan Dust Cloud’s Second Wave To Hit US This Week

Meteorologists warned that a second wave of the massive dust cloud from the Sahara desert will hit the U.S. this week. The approaching wave is expected to lower the air quality to potentially risky levels in areas that will be affected.

The massive dust storm was formed due to the atmospheric conditions over the Sahara desert. Spanning over 1,500 miles wide, this year’s Saharan dust storm has been regarded as the biggest of its kind in 50 years. Due to its size, some meteorologists have nicknamed it as the Godzilla dust cloud.

Forecast models revealed that the dust cloud is currently moving northward and is expected to move offshore into the Atlantic within the next couple of days.

Although the dust cloud that’s currently affecting the country is about to leave, meteorologists warned that a second wave is about to arrive soon.

According to a report by The Weather Channel, the dust cloud’s second wave, which is currently over the Caribbean, is making its way to the Gulf Coast. It is expected to reach the region on Tuesday (June 30). For the next couple of days, the new wave of the dust cloud will hit southern Texas, Louisiana and Southern Mississippi.

The report indicated that the second wave would most likely dissipate during the weekend.

Similar to the first wave, the second wave will also affect the air quality of the regions it will cover. NASA, which has been monitoring the massive dust cloud using its satellites, noted that its aerosol particles could cause various harmful effects.

According to the agency, exposure to the dust cloud could lead to various respiratory illnesses. In addition, the presence of the massive dust cloud can also affect Earth’s environmental conditions.

“Aerosol particles have an effect on human health, weather and the climate,” NASA stated. “Aerosol particles are produced from many events including human activities such as pollution from factories and natural processes such as smoke from fires, dust from dust storms, sea salt from breaking waves, and volcanic ash from volcanoes.”

“Aerosol particles compromise human health when inhaled by people with asthma or other respiratory illnesses,” the agency added. “Aerosol particles also affect weather and climate by cooling or warming the earth as well as enhancing or preventing cloud formation.”