Weather experts are predicting that it will get hotter and drier in Jamaica over the next two days as the thickest parts of the Sahara dust plume crosses the island.
The Sahara dust started affecting Jamaica on Monday.
Meteorologist Rohan Brown told Radio Jamaica News that the dust cloud will move from the east to west across the island and will prevent rainfall.
The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says the very dry and dusty air, known as the Saharan Air Layer, forms over the Sahara Desert during the late spring, summer and early fall, and then moves over the tropical Atlantic.
Jamaica’s Ministry of Health & Wellness has warned that excess exposure to the dust particles can have severe health effects, including increased risk of respiratory and related illness, such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder, respiratory infection and allergies.
Caribbean
In Barbados, the Meteorological Office has issued a small craft warning because of the Sahara dust.
It indicated that reduced visibility of three miles or less would affect the marine area.
The office said marine users should stay in port, particularly if GPS is not in use on the vessel.
In Trinidad & Tobago, the Environmental Management Authority noted that in parts of the twin island republic, air quality was deemed unhealthy because of the Sahara dust.
People with heart or lung disease, elderly persons, children as well as individuals with respiratory ailments and allergies were told to avoid prolonged or heavy exertion.
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