A significant dust cloud from the Sahara Desert has covered much of the Caribbean, marking the largest event of its kind this year. Extending approximately 2,000 miles from Jamaica to beyond Barbados and 750 miles from the Turks and Caicos Islands to Trinidad and Tobago, this phenomenon has raised concerns about health impacts. Symptoms like sneezing, coughing, and watery eyes have been reported, particularly affecting individuals with allergies or asthma. Local forecasters advise vulnerable residents to stay indoors or wear face masks when outside.
The dust concentration is notably high at 0.55 aerosol optical depth, the highest recorded this year, according to Yidiana Zayas from the National Weather Service in San Juan. This measurement indicates the degree to which sunlight is blocked by particles in the atmosphere. Experts predict the dust plume will reach parts of the southern United States, including Florida, Louisiana, Alabama, and Mississippi, later this week, though it typically dissipates in concentration as it moves east.
The Saharan Air Layer forms over the Sahara Desert and moves west across the Atlantic from April to October. This dry and dusty air can inhibit the formation of tropical waves during the Atlantic hurricane season, which lasts from June 1 to November 30. June and July are generally characterized by the highest dust concentrations. A notable instance occurred in June 2020 when a “Godzilla dust cloud” affected the Caribbean with unprecedented size and concentration not seen in half a century.
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