Saharan dust transport across the Atlantic basin to the western hemisphere has intrigued researchers for decades. Its large-scale coverage implies far-flung radiative impacts while dust deposition can influence the biogeochemistry of both ocean and land. Dust is often present over the entire southeastern United States during the summer. Miami has a long history of dust research begun under Dr. Joseph Prospero, including dust filter sampling (see
10.1175/BAMS-D-18-0083.1 for a recent update), micropulse lidar measurements that include polarization, the sun photometers that are part of the Aerosol Robotic Network (
Key Biscayne1, Key Biscayne2), and more detailed characterization of aerosol composition by Dr. Cassandra Gaston. See below for today’s GEOS-5 dust forecast and lidar imagery, with cloud condensation nuclei concentration information temporarily unavailable. These complement today's clouds and precipitation.
