It’s that time of the year again! You may feel a little gritty in the next few days, as Saharan dust is coming back to join our record heat this month in Central Texas.

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The good news? Expect some gorgeous sunsets. The bad news? You can also expect an itchy throat, watering eyes, and possibly some breathing problems if you have asthma or lung issues.

Where is Saharan Dust Coming From?

This isn't our first tangle with African dust. The clouds travel to Texas across the Atlantic Ocean a couple of times every year. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality expects air quality in Central Texas to be of moderate concern, according to TCEQ standards.

Saharan dust starts over the Sahara Desert of Africa as a large area of dry, gritty air, traveling 5,000-miles from the desert and across the Atlantic Ocean to Belton, Temple, Killeen, and the rest of the state.

What to do About Saharan Dust

Taking allergy meds won't help, because Saharan dust is an irritant and not an allergen. The dust doesn’t cause sneezing or a runny nose, but it can make your eyes itch and your throat sore. According to KXAN, the best way to reduce symptoms is to limit outdoor time or wear a facemask.

Making things worse, the African dust may also include patchy smoke from agricultural fires in Mexico and Central America. This means people with any respiratory conditions such as asthma or emphysema will need to use extra caution outside. You can check the air quality anywhere in Texas here.

Fortunately, the dust won't last all summer. In the meantime, enjoy the sunsets!

Here's Something To Rinse The Dust Away

Feeling hot, hot, hot? Here are six of the best swimming holes in Texas to get your chill on and lower that core temperature.

Trips to Discover and The Crazy Tourist both list the following six places as the best places to cool off this summer in the great state of Texas. You'll want to keep this list handy as the mercury rises and the sweat starts to pour!

Blue Bell Ice Cream On The List of Top 15 Brands Nationwide

Blue Bell is the official ice cream of Texas, and my personal favorite. According to a new list of the 15 best brands of ice cream nationwide, Blue Bell was ranked in the middle.

In addition to ingredients, texture, and variety, Tasting Table used Influenster and other site reviews as part of its ranking process.

Scroll on to find out how Blue Bell compared to the number one ice cream, and how all 15 on the list were judged.

Helpful Slithering: Which Snakes Could Help or Harm in Texas?

Not all snakes are bad. Some Texas snakes actually do a lot to help humans out, even if we don't always see or appreciate it. Then again, some snakes can do a lot of harm. Here's a quick rundown.

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