Brace for Hazy Days as Saharan Dust Arrives in Louisiana

I didn't think this would happen this year, but it is. We need to start talking again about a cloud of Saharan dust that is beginning to move into Louisiana.

This plume of dust is headed for parts of the Bayou State this week. It has moving across the Atlantic Ocean over the past few weeks. It's expected to arrive in north Louisiana in the next couple of days. If you struggle with allergies or respiratory issues, you might want to avoid being outside. This dust cloud can aggravate folks with respiratory issues like COPD and asthma.

You might even find you're suffering from excess sneezing, an irritated throat, coughing or itchy eyes.

This dust cloud will be moving across the state in the next few days. The Weather Channel reports this will bring hazy conditions to much of the Gulf Coast Region.

Dr. Diaz says “We know that breathing in these small dust particles can make all those conditions worse.”  He adds that those with asthma, COPD, chronic bronchitis, and heart conditions should be most cautious.

Diaz says you should definitely wear face masks if you have to be outdoors over the next couple of days if you have respiratory issues.