Dust from China may arrive today

April 11, 2002

Forecasters say that dust that blew out of a Chinese desert last week has crossed the Pacific Ocean and might pass over Southern California today, possibly turning the sky a hazy white. Such haze suggests the dust is coated with pollutants from Asia, says Charlie Zender, an atmospheric physicist at the University of California, Irvine.

The National Weather Service says low clouds will cover much of Orange County this morning but burn off to reveal mostly clear skies.

If the haze arrives and lingers, it could produce a gorgeous sunset because the dust scatters all but orange and red sunlight. The plume shouldn't pose a major health hazard.

- Gary Robbins

(714) 796-7970