While the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) lingers near and at times across T&T, a surge of Saharan Dust trailing Tropical Wave 09 is forecast to bring moderate to high concentrations of Saharan Dust to the region from Tuesday. Higher dust concentrations are forecast across the remainder of the Lesser Antilles, north of Trinidad and Tobago.
What you need to know
— Saharan Dust Surges: The next surge of dust is expected to move in as early as Monday morning across the region, primarily north of Trinidad (affecting Tobago), with higher dust levels across both islands. It is expected to arrive overnight Monday night into Tuesday morning and persist through mid-Saturday, gradually decreasing. Another round of dust is forecast to move in across T&T by mid-Sunday.
— What Should You Do: Unusually sensitive groups are advised to take necessary precautions, while the general public remains mostly unaffected.
Current AQI Levels Across T&T
As of 4:00 PM, Sunday, June 22nd, 2025, the official air quality monitoring stations from the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) at Beetham outside of Port of Spain, and San Fernando report air quality that are good to moderate levels while all other stations (Signal Hill, Toco, Arima, Point Lisas) are not currently transmitting PM2.5 or PM10 data.
Unofficial air quality monitoring stations at Longdenville and Woodbrook report air quality levels that are good.
These measurements are based on PM2.5 (particulates smaller than 2.5 micrometers in size, typically 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 Piarco, fluctuated between 8 and 10 kilometers over the last 24 hours.
Saharan Dust Forecast For T&T
June 22nd through June 23rd: Mild concentrations of Saharan Dust. Air quality levels are likely to improve from moderate to good. Horizontal visibility outside of rainfall is expected to be near and above 10 kilometers.
June 24th through June 27th: High concentrations of Saharan Dust with air quality levels generally remaining at moderate levels through June 27th, with horizontal visibility reduced as low as 7 kilometers.
June 28th through June 29th (mid to late afternoon): Little to no Saharan Dust. Air quality at good levels.
Late June 30th through July 2nd: Moderate to high concentrations of Saharan Dust with air quality levels mainly near moderate levels.
What does this mean for you?
Generally, over the next 10 days, air quality levels are forecast to be at good to moderate levels, with periods of good air quality during the passages of the ITCZ or tropical waves. Between June 24th and 25th, air quality could dip to levels considered unhealthy for sensitive groups.
We’re now in 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.
Peak dust concentrations climatologically occur during June across the Main Development Region of the Atlantic, just east of Trinidad and Tobago.
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, they kick up dust as they move across parts of the Saharan Desert and transport it into the upper atmosphere. This “plume” of dust follows the axis of the wave as it progresses westward into the Atlantic.
Dust that enters the upper levels of the atmosphere can then be 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.
