The study, by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration has validated through its research that the dust particles play a major part in the seasonal hurricane activity. The reports related the several major dust storms in June and July in the Sahara to the hurricanes and tropical storms.
The dust by the storms from the Sahara drifting over the Atlantic ocean formed a thick layer in the atmosphere screening the sunlight from the water which resulted in warming up of atmosphere and cooling down of water. This increased the surface winds that aid in evaporation and ocean churning, further cooling the waters.
According to the records only five hurricanes and four tropical storms were recorded in 2006, a marked decrease from the 15 hurricanes and 12 tropical storms recorded in 2005.
Via: physorg