Trinidad and Tobago, as well as the remainder of the Lesser Antilles, are forecast to see moderate to high concentrations of Saharan Dust periodically through the first week of July.
Our next period of respite is forecast on Thursday, when Tropical Wave 11 moves across the Lesser Antilles. However, the dust is expected to return by early Friday.
What you need to know
— Saharan Dust Surges: An ongoing surge of Saharan Dust is forecast to persist through early Thursday, July 3rd, 2025. Another moderate to high concentration surge of Saharan Dust is forecast to arrive by mid-Friday, lasting through July 10th, with another higher-concentration surge expected to arrive on July 9th.
— What Should You Do: Unusually sensitive groups are advised to take necessary precautions, while the general public remains mostly unaffected over the next seven to 10 days.
Current AQI Levels Across T&T
As of 5:00 PM, Monday, June 30th, 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 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 to moderate.
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, remains at 10 kilometers over the last 24 hours.
Saharan Dust Forecast For T&T
June 30th through early July 3rd: Moderate, but decreasing concentrations of Saharan Dust with air quality levels at good to moderate and visibility near 10 kilometers.
July 3rd: Little to no Saharan Dust from mid-morning through nightfall, with air quality at generally good levels. Horizontal visibility generally unaffected.
July 4th through July 7th: Moderate to occasionally high Saharan Dust with air quality levels at moderate levels, improving to good levels by July 7th. Higher dust levels are forecast to move across the Leeward Islands and northern Windward Islands. Horizontal visibility may dip to 8 kilometers, particularly across the northern marine area.
July 7th through early July 9th: Mild concentrations of Saharan Dust with air quality levels generally at good levels, at times dipping to moderate. Horizontal visibility generally unaffected.
July 9th: Mild to moderate concentrations of Saharan Dust with air quality generally between good and moderate levels. Horizontal visibility generally unaffected.
What does this mean for you?
Generally, over the next 10 days, air quality levels are forecast to be mainly moderate, with periods of good air quality during the passage of the ITCZ or tropical waves. Between July 5th and 6th, air quality could dip to levels considered unhealthy for sensitive groups due to the high levels of dust mainly north of Trinidad and Tobago.
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.
