The Saharan Dust moves in this week n Houston The hazy, gloomy look to the sky over Houston is in fact, at least partially, Saharan Dust. This is common this time of year as strong winds loft the dust into the upper levels and the particles hitch a ride west.Despite the fact the dust particles are respiratory irritants and impact sensitive groups it does represent very dry air in the mid-upper levels of the atmosphere which suppresses any tropical development.