For you Floridians...

ExecNav · 07-22-2005, 01:52 PM

http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansas...n/12190967.htm

Giant dust cloud takes aim at Florida

BY KEN KAYE

South Florida Sun-Sentinel

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - (KRT) - As if this hurricane season wasn't tumultuous enough, South Florida is about to get hit by a sandstorm.

By Monday or Tuesday, a Sahara dust outbreak, or a cloud of what originally was African sand carried across the Atlantic on the back of a tropical wave, is expected to settle over the region for about 12 hours, forecasters said.

It might turn the skies milkier and leave a light coating of reddish-brown dust on cars, the result of a small amount of iron content. It also could make the sunrise and sunset spectacular, said Jim Lushine of the National Weather Service in Miami.

"It's just kind of an interesting phenomenon," he said. "You might see it better in the morning, when the angle of the sun is low."

Usually, such dust clouds are too diluted to cause health problems or reduce visibility for aircraft pilots.

On the other hand, if concentrated enough, the outbreak could raise the air quality index into the unhealthy range for people with respiratory problems, said Ken Larson, a natural resource specialist with the Broward County Environmental Protection Department.

"If there are adverse concentrations, we would put out a health advisory," he said. "If somebody is subject to a respiratory condition, if they see hazy skies, they might want to take a little more precaution, not participate in strenuous activity and stay indoors."

Dust outbreaks, which are most common in early July, start when tropical waves lift sand from the Sahara to about 10,000 feet, where it is reduced to even smaller particles. The dust then drifts west on a dry tropical wave, as opposed to a moist tropical wave, which can spin into a hurricane.

The dust cloud aiming this way is huge, about 2,500 miles from west to east and 1,500 miles from north to south, or almost as big as the United States, Lushine said.

South Florida should see its western edge, which is where the tropical wave is embedded, but "they'll notice it more in the Caribbean, like in San Juan," Lushine said.

By Friday, the outbreak should be about 1,400 miles east of Miami, moving west at 345 miles per day, about the same pace as a tropical system.

Because the Sahara dust carries some pathogens, it might cause harm to coral reefs, particularly in the Caribbean, said Bernhard Riegl, an associate professor at Nova Southeastern University's Oceanographic Center.

Those pathogens, he said, include fungi, spores and bacteria, but the dust can haul even bigger objects.

"Entire desert locusts, the insects, have made it across the Atlantic to the Windward Islands," Riegl said.

So far, there is no evidence the pathogens harm humans, although on the Caribbean island of Trinidad an abnormal number of infants have asthma problems, he said.

One good side effect: "It's difficult for tropical storm development to occur in these dust outbreaks," Lushine said.

* Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

slowscooby · 07-22-2005, 01:59 PM

thats really....odd..

Machine Age Victim · 07-22-2005, 02:00 PM

oh my, well that will be cool if it does affect the sunrise and sunsets, I'll keep my camera handy

ooberdoob · 07-22-2005, 03:45 PM

florida's karma is borked.

Blindeye_03 · 07-22-2005, 03:53 PM

I am having second thoughts about moving

RedTRex · 07-22-2005, 03:56 PM

figures it was written by Kansasians...

RexyGirl · 07-22-2005, 05:20 PM

First rain storms, lightning storms, hurricanes and tornados...now we have to worry about sand storms????

I think it is time to move out of Florida!!!

Fernely · 07-22-2005, 05:43 PM

naw its just gonna give us some nice sunrises and sunsets, which is cool cause I hace a fantastic view for sunsets. If I get a chance I'll snap a few when this happens.

ExecNav · 07-22-2005, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedTRex

figures it was written by Kansasians...

This was the only article at the time I could find about this event. In fact, the only reason I knew was because we had a representative from the National Weather Service in Miami on our radio station today discussing the phenomenon.

-Brett

2pt5RS · 07-22-2005, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blindeye_03

I am having second thoughts about moving

YAY!!! I get to stay home and be with my girlfriend!!

Blindeye_03 · 07-22-2005, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2pt5RS

YAY!!! I get to stay home and be with my girlfriend!!

aww call the whaaaambulance

... why doesnt she come with you?

-justin

Alizarin · 07-23-2005, 12:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ooberdoob

florida's karma is borked.

Tell me about it... on Wednesday there was a tornado in Pinellas county! That's pretty rare, we usually get water spouts, and there's the occasional tornado in Hillsborough or Pasco. It went very near my parents' house too.

Funny enough, I saw it dissipating as I was leaving work, didn't even realize what was going on. But I was mezmerized by the swirling clouds, that's for sure... I was kinda pissed I didn't leave, like, 10 minutes earlier, as I had wanted to.

dropmech · 07-23-2005, 11:19 AM

When we deploy to PR, our plane gets covered by that crap all the time. It's not really all that odd. PR gets those storms all the time. I'm surprised we don't get them more often.

USF97J4x4 · 07-24-2005, 12:26 AM

It's called red tide...

ExecNav · 07-24-2005, 12:34 AM

What's called red tide?

-Brett

Machine Age Victim · 07-24-2005, 09:54 AM

he thinks the sand is red tide, but red tide is an algea bloom, the black stuff the gulf coast had a few years ago was from a dust storm

ExecNav · 07-24-2005, 10:19 AM

It's believed that the increased iron content in the water because of the sand storms causes the algae bloom but the two are completely different. I remember that one Jeff. They have some pretty spectacular aerials of it, a few from space. It was funny to hear all the theories about what it was before anybody with a logical explanation came forward and addressed the public/media. Some thought it was an oil spill, some thought it was a sign of the end of the world....

-Brett

ExecNav · 07-24-2005, 10:22 AM

BTW, I'm about to call you. I have a few ???.

-Brett

WRblueSTI · 07-24-2005, 10:43 AM

i'm really looking forward to getting hit by this

dropmech · 07-24-2005, 11:13 AM

I think i'll go wash my car in preparation for this.

Machine Age Victim · 07-24-2005, 11:46 AM

hahaha w0rxer just did LOL

ExecNav · 07-24-2005, 12:07 PM

I think a nice compounding, polish, and wax would do nicely in preparation for the gigantic hellacious sand storm. The dust will just sit on top of the wax and you can rinse it off with some water as soon as it's over.

I did this two weeks ago so I'm good to go.

-Brett

w0rXer · 07-24-2005, 11:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Machine Age Victim

hahaha w0rxer just did LOL

IT'S NOT FUNNY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

07-22-2005, 01:52 PM	#1
ExecNav NASIOC Supporter Member#: 30554 Join Date: Nov 2002 Chapter/Region: South East Location: Ellijay, GA Vehicle: 08 LGT Spec.B 01 Impreza RS-T	For you Floridians... http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansas...n/12190967.htm Giant dust cloud takes aim at Florida BY KEN KAYE South Florida Sun-Sentinel FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - (KRT) - As if this hurricane season wasn't tumultuous enough, South Florida is about to get hit by a sandstorm. By Monday or Tuesday, a Sahara dust outbreak, or a cloud of what originally was African sand carried across the Atlantic on the back of a tropical wave, is expected to settle over the region for about 12 hours, forecasters said. It might turn the skies milkier and leave a light coating of reddish-brown dust on cars, the result of a small amount of iron content. It also could make the sunrise and sunset spectacular, said Jim Lushine of the National Weather Service in Miami. "It's just kind of an interesting phenomenon," he said. "You might see it better in the morning, when the angle of the sun is low." Usually, such dust clouds are too diluted to cause health problems or reduce visibility for aircraft pilots. On the other hand, if concentrated enough, the outbreak could raise the air quality index into the unhealthy range for people with respiratory problems, said Ken Larson, a natural resource specialist with the Broward County Environmental Protection Department. "If there are adverse concentrations, we would put out a health advisory," he said. "If somebody is subject to a respiratory condition, if they see hazy skies, they might want to take a little more precaution, not participate in strenuous activity and stay indoors." Dust outbreaks, which are most common in early July, start when tropical waves lift sand from the Sahara to about 10,000 feet, where it is reduced to even smaller particles. The dust then drifts west on a dry tropical wave, as opposed to a moist tropical wave, which can spin into a hurricane. The dust cloud aiming this way is huge, about 2,500 miles from west to east and 1,500 miles from north to south, or almost as big as the United States, Lushine said. South Florida should see its western edge, which is where the tropical wave is embedded, but "they'll notice it more in the Caribbean, like in San Juan," Lushine said. By Friday, the outbreak should be about 1,400 miles east of Miami, moving west at 345 miles per day, about the same pace as a tropical system. Because the Sahara dust carries some pathogens, it might cause harm to coral reefs, particularly in the Caribbean, said Bernhard Riegl, an associate professor at Nova Southeastern University's Oceanographic Center. Those pathogens, he said, include fungi, spores and bacteria, but the dust can haul even bigger objects. "Entire desert locusts, the insects, have made it across the Atlantic to the Windward Islands," Riegl said. So far, there is no evidence the pathogens harm humans, although on the Caribbean island of Trinidad an abnormal number of infants have asthma problems, he said. One good side effect: "It's difficult for tropical storm development to occur in these dust outbreaks," Lushine said. * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

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07-22-2005, 01:59 PM	#2
slowscooby Scooby Guru Member#: 69520 Join Date: Aug 2004 Chapter/Region: South East Location: .../(-.-)\... Vehicle: - '05 STi "White Thunder"	thats really....odd..

07-22-2005, 02:00 PM	#3
Machine Age Victim Scooby Specialist Member#: 29961 Join Date: Nov 2002 Chapter/Region: South East Location: my job is a hobbie to most Vehicle: 2008 BMW 328i Conv. 2001 Kawasaki ZR-7S	oh my, well that will be cool if it does affect the sunrise and sunsets, I'll keep my camera handy

07-22-2005, 03:45 PM	#4
ooberdoob Scooby Specialist Member#: 70418 Join Date: Sep 2004 Chapter/Region: NESIC Location: Greenville, SC Vehicle: Five Subarus later I drive a lifted TJ.	florida's karma is borked.

07-22-2005, 03:53 PM	#5
Blindeye_03 Scooby Guru Member#: 4418 Join Date: Feb 2001 Chapter/Region: South East Location: Woodstock, Georgia Vehicle: 2008 S2000 Black	I am having second thoughts about moving

07-22-2005, 03:56 PM	#6
RedTRex Scooby Guru Member#: 18513 Join Date: May 2002 Chapter/Region: South East Location: Cyborg Systems Command Vehicle: JMS Clan Guy #11 Black 97 BMW	figures it was written by Kansasians...

07-22-2005, 05:20 PM	#7
RexyGirl Scooby Specialist Member#: 63616 Join Date: Jun 2004 Chapter/Region: South East Vehicle: 1996 Volvo 850 Turbo with mods :)	First rain storms, lightning storms, hurricanes and tornados...now we have to worry about sand storms???? I think it is time to move out of Florida!!!

07-22-2005, 05:43 PM	#8
Fernely Scooby Specialist Member#: 6824 Join Date: May 2001 Chapter/Region: South East Location: Kendall/ Miami, FL Vehicle: 2008 QSM Leg. spec B Pastelito Racing/ SFSOC	naw its just gonna give us some nice sunrises and sunsets, which is cool cause I hace a fantastic view for sunsets. If I get a chance I'll snap a few when this happens.

07-23-2005, 11:19 AM	#13
dropmech Scooby Specialist Member#: 41477 Join Date: Aug 2003 Chapter/Region: NESIC Location: Cape Cod, MA. Vehicle: 2006 Tahoe that will pull your bumper off	When we deploy to PR, our plane gets covered by that crap all the time. It's not really all that odd. PR gets those storms all the time. I'm surprised we don't get them more often.

07-24-2005, 12:26 AM	#14
USF97J4x4 Scooby Specialist Member#: 83035 Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Florida Vehicle: 2002 WRX White	It's called red tide...

07-24-2005, 12:34 AM	#15
ExecNav NASIOC Supporter Member#: 30554 Join Date: Nov 2002 Chapter/Region: South East Location: Ellijay, GA Vehicle: 08 LGT Spec.B 01 Impreza RS-T	What's called red tide? -Brett

07-24-2005, 09:54 AM	#16
Machine Age Victim Scooby Specialist Member#: 29961 Join Date: Nov 2002 Chapter/Region: South East Location: my job is a hobbie to most Vehicle: 2008 BMW 328i Conv. 2001 Kawasaki ZR-7S	he thinks the sand is red tide, but red tide is an algea bloom, the black stuff the gulf coast had a few years ago was from a dust storm

07-24-2005, 10:19 AM	#17
ExecNav NASIOC Supporter Member#: 30554 Join Date: Nov 2002 Chapter/Region: South East Location: Ellijay, GA Vehicle: 08 LGT Spec.B 01 Impreza RS-T	It's believed that the increased iron content in the water because of the sand storms causes the algae bloom but the two are completely different. I remember that one Jeff. They have some pretty spectacular aerials of it, a few from space. It was funny to hear all the theories about what it was before anybody with a logical explanation came forward and addressed the public/media. Some thought it was an oil spill, some thought it was a sign of the end of the world.... -Brett

07-24-2005, 10:22 AM	#18
ExecNav NASIOC Supporter Member#: 30554 Join Date: Nov 2002 Chapter/Region: South East Location: Ellijay, GA Vehicle: 08 LGT Spec.B 01 Impreza RS-T	BTW, I'm about to call you. I have a few ???. -Brett

07-24-2005, 10:43 AM	#19
WRblueSTI Scooby Newbie Member#: 70231 Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Delray Beach Vehicle: 2005 Impreza WRX STI Pastelito Racing & SFSOC	i'm really looking forward to getting hit by this

07-24-2005, 11:13 AM	#20
dropmech Scooby Specialist Member#: 41477 Join Date: Aug 2003 Chapter/Region: NESIC Location: Cape Cod, MA. Vehicle: 2006 Tahoe that will pull your bumper off	I think i'll go wash my car in preparation for this.

07-24-2005, 11:46 AM	#21
Machine Age Victim Scooby Specialist Member#: 29961 Join Date: Nov 2002 Chapter/Region: South East Location: my job is a hobbie to most Vehicle: 2008 BMW 328i Conv. 2001 Kawasaki ZR-7S	hahaha w0rxer just did LOL

07-24-2005, 12:07 PM	#22
ExecNav NASIOC Supporter Member#: 30554 Join Date: Nov 2002 Chapter/Region: South East Location: Ellijay, GA Vehicle: 08 LGT Spec.B 01 Impreza RS-T	I think a nice compounding, polish, and wax would do nicely in preparation for the gigantic hellacious sand storm. The dust will just sit on top of the wax and you can rinse it off with some water as soon as it's over. I did this two weeks ago so I'm good to go. -Brett