The desert sand travels via wind across the Atlantic from Africa toward the Caribbean each year, typically between May and October, and can affect weather conditions and air quality.

Several islands of the Lesser Antilles are already being impacted by the latest dust plume to enter the region. The Trinidad and Tobago Meteorological Service noted in its forecast on Tuesday morning that, “A significant concentration of Saharan dust is present in the atmosphere” and warned that “sensitive persons should take necessary precautions”.

The Barbados met office noted in its weather forecast that “a layer of slight dust haze will be visible across the island”. In the meantime, the National Weather Service in Puerto Rico noted that a moderate to high Saharan Air Layer (SAL) event will continue to affect the northeastern Caribbean through early Wednesday, resulting in hazy skies, reduced visibilities and deteriorated air quality across the region.

In its Tuesday morning forecast, the Meteorological Service of Jamaica noted that the dust mass was moving across the central Caribbean but did not state how and when the island will be affected. In addition to the Saharan dust, a tropical wave is approaching the central Caribbean and is expected to move south of Jamaica by Wednesday afternoon, the local weather authority said. (Jamaica Observer/Fox)