“A cloud of dust blowing through the Gulf of Mexico may not sound like an encouraging forecast, but it might be just what we need to keep tropical storms at bay and enjoy some gorgeous sunsets.

“During the summer months, a large plume of dust can appear in the atmosphere over the Sahara Desert in northern Africa, kicked up by strong winds on the Earth’s surface.

“This mass of dust combines with warm, dry air to form the Saharan Air Layer.

“Riding trade winds westward from Africa to North America, the dust drifts across the Atlantic Ocean, reaching as far west as the Gulf of Mexico. This week, conditions lined up perfectly for a cloud of dust to be swept out with the Saharan Air Layer.”

Read more at USA Today