The desert dust again
Just when one of the biggest mosquito blooms of the year dies down, here comes the Sahara dust again. Waves of dust blowing from the Sahara Desert saturate the air this time of year, often making it as far as the Virgin Islands.
Now, if you said The Sahara! Isn’t that in Nevada?, you’d be an idiot. The Sahara is in the country of Africa, which is actually lots of countries but I can’t name very many of them. But yes, it is coming from a long way away. And it’s kinda nasty stuff. If you’ve got allergies or sinus problems, you’re going to hate it. It’s so bad right now that the V.I. Department of Health issued a warning to residents about it this week.
It can also be a good thing. Meteorologists think it acts to keep atmospheric moisture levels low, and that in turn can prevent hurricanes from forming. It also makes for some colorful sunsets.
May 18th, 2007 06:19
Oh well, I was so happy to hear that the mosquitos were quieting down. How long do these Sahara waves usually take place? Is this an ongoing thing once it starts and lasting through the hurricane season? I am headed down in just over a month and I have killer allergies (ugh oh!) I guess I would still rather be sneezing and itching on St John than anywhere else.
May 18th, 2007 08:40
Still better than downtown smog.
May 18th, 2007 11:04
“Now, if you said The Sahara! Isn’t that in Nevada?, you’d be an idiot. The Sahara is in the country of Africa, which is actually lots of countries but I can’t name very many of them. ”
Priceless
May 18th, 2007 19:34
Actually, I believe the Sahara in LV is now a pile of rubble. It came down a few weeks/month ago.
As to smog, we here in Los Angeles are very nostalgic of the good old days of smog. It’s still here a bit, but it was funny gaggin when we were kids.
Ah the memories.