Images
February 19, 2026 - Dust off West Africa
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Strong winds swept sand and dust from Saharan Africa westward over the Atlantic Ocean starting on February 13, 2026, according to daily satellite imagery.
The massive dust storm continued on February 17, when the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA’s Aqua satellite acquired this true-color image of the region. At that time, a thick layer of airborne dust covered the Cape Verde Islands.
Dust storms can occur any time of the year off of West Africa but are particularly prevalent in the winter. From November to March, the “harmattan” wind—a desert wind that blows across the Saharan Desert from the northeast or east—is prevalent. This strong wind picks up dust as it crosses the Desert, carrying dust and darkening skies far across the Atlantic Ocean.
Image Facts
Satellite:
Aqua
Date Acquired: 2/17/2026
Resolutions:
1km (563.5 KB), 500m (843.6 KB), 250m ( B)
Bands Used: 1,4,3
Image Credit:
MODIS Land Rapid Response Team, NASA GSFC
Strong winds swept sand and dust from Saharan Africa westward over the Atlantic Ocean starting on February 13, 2026, according to daily satellite imagery.
The massive dust storm continued on February 17, when the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA’s Aqua satellite acquired this true-color image of the region. At that time, a thick layer of airborne dust covered the Cape Verde Islands.
Dust storms can occur any time of the year off of West Africa but are particularly prevalent in the winter. From November to March, the “harmattan” wind—a desert wind that blows across the Saharan Desert from the northeast or east—is prevalent. This strong wind picks up dust as it crosses the Desert, carrying dust and darkening skies far across the Atlantic Ocean.
Image Facts
Satellite:
Aqua
Date Acquired: 2/17/2026
Resolutions:
1km (563.5 KB), 500m (843.6 KB), 250m ( B)
Bands Used: 1,4,3
Image Credit:
MODIS Land Rapid Response Team, NASA GSFC
