Saharan dust: When is it coming to Florida? What is it?

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By Katlyn Brieskorn

ORLANDO, Fla. — A plume of dust from Africa arrived in Central Florida on Wednesday.

Saharan dust plumes are common in the western hemisphere during the summer months.

These tiny dust particles travel for thousands of miles through what is known as the Saharan Air Layer and are clearly visible on satellite images.

PHOTOS: Saharan dust as seen in Central Florida: Sunrises, sunsets, hazy & milky skies

The dust will make sunrises and sunsets more colorful.

However, it will slightly lower the air quality and could cause increased breathing issues for sensitive groups.

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Meteorologist Brian Shields said the dust won’t affect Central Florida’s forecast for now.

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WFTV Severe Weather Center 9 Saharan dust making Central Florida's skies hazy. This picture also shows some beautiful crepuscular rays. This picture was taken by Micheal Von Hatten.

WFTV Severe Weather Center 9 Saharan dust making Central Florida's skies hazy. This picture was taken by Brent near the Universal Area

WFTV Severe Weather Center 9 Saharan dust making Central Florida's skies hazy. This picture was taken by JJ Krawiec In Cocoa

WFTV Severe Weather Center 9 Saharan dust making Central Florida's skies hazy. Taken over Lake Conway with the storm rolling into downtown Orlando. Picture by Jaime Magnetico

WFTV Severe Weather Center 9 Saharan dust making Central Florida's skies hazy. Taken over Lake Conway with the storm rolling into downtown Orlando. Picture by Jaime Magnetico

WFTV Severe Weather Center 9 Saharan dust making Central Florida's skies hazy. This picture was taken by Joe in Cocoa Beach

WFTV Severe Weather Center 9 Saharan dust making Central Florida's skies hazy. Sunset picture was taken in Indian River

WFTV Severe Weather Center 9 Saharan dust making Central Florida's skies hazy. This picture was taken by Joe in Merritt Island

WFTV Severe Weather Center 9 Saharan dust making Central Florida's skies hazy. Taken over Lake Conway with the storm rolling into downtown Orlando. Picture by Jaime Magnetico

WFTV Severe Weather Center 9 Saharan dust making Central Florida's skies hazy. This picture was taken by Jainice Ubarri in Clearwater

WFTV Severe Weather Center 9 A much thicker layer of dust covered the Caribbean and the Yucatan Peninsula Picture by @hackingzaxe (twitter) in Belize

WFTV Severe Weather Center 9 A much thicker layer of dust covered the Caribbean and the Yucatan Peninsula Picture by Ada Monzón in Puerto Rico

WFTV Severe Weather Center 9 A much thicker layer of dust covered the Caribbean and the Yucatan Peninsula Picture by Cevan Coore in Jamaica

WFTV Severe Weather Center 9 A much thicker layer of dust covered the Caribbean and the Yucatan Peninsula Picture by Ada Monzón in Puerto Rico

WFTV Severe Weather Center 9 A much thicker layer of dust covered the Caribbean and the Yucatan Peninsula Picture by @Jeskh97 in St. Croix

You can watch the dust arrive in real-time here.

Follow our Severe Weather team on Twitter for live updates:

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