Saharan dust reaches Mexico, impacting Yucatán and other states

Millions of dust particles from the Sahara desert travel over 7,000–8,000 km across the Atlantic, arriving over the Caribbean and southeastern Mexico each summer. The dust forms a high‑altitude air mass that brings hazy skies, reddish‑orange sunrises and sunsets, and can slightly raise temperatures while reducing humidity and rainfall potential.

In Mexico the most affected states are Quintana Roo, Yucatán, Campeche, Tabasco, Veracruz and Tamaulipas. For most healthy people the phenomenon poses little risk, but individuals with asthma, allergies or other respiratory conditions may experience eye irritation, throat discomfort, nasal congestion, cough or other breathing difficulties. Episodes typically last from a few days up to a week.