Louisiana Sunsets Are Going to Be Spectacular This Weekend

As most of Louisiana has settled into the first week of summer break with round after round of thunderstorms and heavy rain, we do have news of some light at the end of the tunnel. No, we won't see that light today; in fact, the entire state is at risk for severe thunderstorms again today.

The weather news doesn't get too much better for Friday as a stubborn upper-level system is expected to still kick off showers and thunderstorms, some with heavy rainfall across most of Louisiana during that time frame as well.

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But eventually the rain will taper off, and by this weekend, we will have some sunshine and more than a few friends and family members complaining about the heat. However, the silver lining at the end of a long Louisiana summertime day is going to be a series of spectacular sunsets.

Why Are The Louisiana Sunsets So Brilliant This Weekend?

The catalyst for the abundant colors in the late afternoon/early evening sky has come all the way from Africa. Riding high on the upper-level winds across the Atlantic Ocean and due to arrive along the Gulf Coast this weekend, it's the return of Saharan Dust.

Forecasters with the National Weather Service say the dust should do a couple of things to help Louisiana during the last few days of May and the first week of June. The dust will help quell some of the afternoon and early evening showers and thunderstorms that we've experienced this week.

It is also been shown to help quell the development of tropical activity across the Gulf and the tropical Atlantic Basin. It only makes sense, dust is usually very dry, and hurricanes and tropical storms thrive on moisture.

If you have a cruise planned out of New Orleans or Galveston across the Gulf and into the Caribbean beginning this weekend or next week, don't miss what should be some amazing photo opportunities. But if you have respiratory issues, the further south you travel, the more trouble you might encounter.

Is Saharan Dust Harmful To Breathe In?

The negative impacts of Saharan Dust will be felt by those who have chronic respiratory issues such as asthma or allergies. There could be air quality advisories posted for some Louisiana parishes and communities over the next few days. But most of us won't notice any issues with the air we are breathing.

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What we will notice is the exuberant colors of the sunset. The Saharan Dust particles will really help light up the western sky at sundown. So, if you're a fan of photo opportunities with Mother Nature as your set designer, this could be your weekend to snap the photo of a lifetime.