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“Saharan Dust” Descends Upon Lake Michigan

By September 7, 2020September 8th, 2020No Comments

PHOTO BY PAUL KEMIEL

Nature’s latest event known as the “Saharan Dust” is a plume of massive cloud dust traveling from the Sahara Desert via tradewinds with its 5,000-mile journey to the United States. This phenomenon is known as the Saharan Air Layer, as dusty air forms over the Sahara Desert three to five days from late spring to early fall. It extends 5,000 to 20,00 feet into the atmosphere.

Dust remnants descended over the Chicago and northern Indiana region during the weekend of June 27-28, 2020, producing hazy skies and color-enriched sunsets. This Lake Michigan sunset photo was captured on June 28 at Washington Park beach in Michigan City, Indiana. —Paul Kemiel