A mass of dust from the Sahara Desert is making the 5,000-mile trek across the Atlantic so that it can reach the United States. The dust can mean prettier sunsets and sunrises, thanks to the particles in the air scattering more sunlight as it passes through the atmosphere. But those same particles can also cause poor air quality conditions when they are closer to the surface. The best news, though, is that the dust can inhibit hurricane development in the Atlantic, thanks to the air mass’s dry air and strong winds.