A dust storm the size of 48 US states is about to hit the east coast of the country this week
A huge dust cloud from the Sahara Desert is heading towards the US coast and has already started affecting parts of Florida.
According to the Lansing State Journal, this giant storm of dust has moved over the Atlantic Ocean and was picked up by satellite imagery that could see it moving from space.
It's now moving over parts of the east coast of the US and much of the south coast, with an expectation that it would reach Florida first and then move over the American southeast.
Alex DaSilva, lead hurricane expert for AccuWeather, said: "This is the biggest Saharan dust plume that we've seen so far this year. It is very common to see large plumes of Saharan dust coming across the Atlantic toward the United States in June and July.
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"Many people will notice more colourful sunrises and sunsets, and a milky or hazy look in the sky."
This giant cloud of dust is actually something called a haboob (stop laughing), a specific type of dust storm which takes form when a thunderstorm collapses.
What is a haboob?
IFL Science explains that between May and October thunderstorms in the Sahara Desert kick up dust into the atmosphere, which then forms these giant storm clouds which can carry that dust across oceans to another continent.
Hurricane scientist Jason Dunion told NPR that this latest one was a 'grand-scale haboob' and the moving phenomenon of desert dust and dry air was roughly the size of the 'lower 48 states'.
The haboob travelled around 4,000 miles to make it across an ocean and now it's been spotted in Florida.
He also explained that it won't be the last one to show up and another one would be released 'about every three to five days'.
How does the dust storm cross an ocean?
It turns out that the dust storm is stable enough to hold together while traversing a significant chunk of the planet.
Dunion explained: "The dry air that's about a mile above our heads stays just about as dry from Africa to the Caribbean, all the way to a place like Florida."
What can people expect?
Looking up to the sky will reveal that answer in the form of a redder view which is actually the dust affecting sunlight in its own way to create a 'really spectacular' view of the sunset.
As for health hazards, Dunion suggested those with asthma might be feeling it a bit more in affected areas.
He said: "I always recommend folks check with their local experts. But with that dust, folks who have asthma, the elderly, can be a little bit more prone when we have these dust outbreaks come through."
Joe Harker