Trinidad and Tobago is set to get some brief respite from the dense Saharan Dust that moved across the region over the past week, but not for long as another surge looms to the country’s east. As Tropical Wave 02 leaves the region on Friday, another surge is forecast to move in this weekend, lingering into next week.
What you need to know
— Saharan Dust Surges: Little to no Saharan Dust is forecast across T&T over the next 24 hours, with mild levels returning by Friday. From Saturday, May 31st, a significant surge of Saharan Dust is forecast to spread not just across T&T but the Lesser Antilles, with higher dust levels across the central islands. High to significant concentrations are forecast to linger until Tuesday, June 3rd, 2025.
— Impacts: Air quality is forecast to drop between moderate and unhealthy for sensitive groups between May 31st and June 3rd, with generally good to moderate levels between May 29th and 30th, as well as from June 4th.
— What Should You Do: Throughout the forecast period, sensitive groups are advised to take the necessary precautions, particularly from May 31st.
Current AQI Levels Across T&T
As of 1:00 AM Thursday, May 29th, 2025, the official air quality monitoring stations from the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) at Beetham outside of Port of Spain and Point Lisas report good air quality, San Fernando reports moderate (but improving) air quality while all other stations (Signal Hill, Point Lisas, Toco, Arima) are not currently transmitting PM2.5 or PM10 data.
Unofficial air quality monitoring stations at Longdenville and Woodbrook report good air quality.
These measurements are based on PM2.5 (particulates the size of 2.5 micrometers and smaller, usually associated with increases in Saharan Dust, vehicle exhaust, and smoke) and PM10 particulates.
Outside of rainfall, visibility, used as a proxy for Saharan Dust concentrations, at the A.N.R. Robinson International Airport at Crown Point, Tobago and at Piarco, visibility is at or above 10 kilometers.
Saharan Dust Forecast For T&T
May 29th: Generally good air quality with little to no Saharan Dust across T&T
May 30th: Mild to moderate concentrations of Saharan Dust with a significant increase in dust levels overnight. During the day, air quality at good to moderate levels.
May 31st through June 3rd: High to significant conentrations of Saharan Dust with air quality and visibility significantly degraded. Air quality levels are likely to remain at moderate levels, dropping to unhealthy for sensitive groups by Saturday (May 31st) night through Sunday (June 1st). Horizontal visibility outside of rainfall is likely to drop between five and seven kilometers.
June 4th through June 8th: Moderate concentrations of Saharan Dust with air quality generally at good to moderate levels. Visibility marginally affected.
What does this mean for you?
With peak concentrations likely between May 31st and June 3rd, air quality levels may reach levels that are unhealthy for sensittive groups. At this level, members of sensitive groups may experience health effects. The general public is not likely to be affected. There is an increasing likelihood of respiratory symptoms in sensitive individuals, aggravation of heart or lung disease, and premature mortality in persons with cardiopulmonary disease & the elderly.
Outside of this period, air quality is forecast to remain generally at moderate levels, with only the most sensitive groups marginally affected.
We’re moving into a period where the Intertropical Convergence Zone, tropical waves, and occasional tropical cyclones may shield Trinidad and Tobago from the Saharan Dust events. While tropical waves are notable in moving dust across the Atlantic and the Eastern Caribbean, these periodic tropical waves also improve air quality.
The concentration of the dust that follows the wave depends on its strength as it moves off the West African Coast. This is because of stronger thunderstorms across Central Africa. As strong winds move downward and outward from these thunderstorms, the wind kicks up dust as it moves across parts of the Saharan Desert and transports it into the upper atmosphere. This “plume” of dust follows the axis of the wave as it progresses westward into the Atlantic.
Dust that makes it into the upper levels of the atmosphere can then get transported across the Atlantic Ocean. The plumes of dust eventually affect the Eastern Caribbean.
Larger, more concentrated plumes of Saharan dust begin in April and continue through November.
