Floridians are waking up to cars and windows coated in a thin layer of brown grime after recent rain showers.

Every year, over 100 million tons of dust are swept up from the Sahara Desert and carried across the Atlantic Ocean.

This massive plume of extremely dry, dusty air rides the trade winds westward, traveling high above the ocean surface.

When this suspended atmospheric dust collides with local storm systems, the rain washes the minerals down to the ground.

While the dust creates striking, vibrant sunsets, it also spikes particulate matter pollution, threatening respiratory health.

This isn't just a nuisance. The mineral-rich dust suppresses Atlantic hurricanes and provides crucial fertilizer for the Amazon rainforest.