As forecast, the first major surge of Saharan Dust for 2026 moved across Trinidad and Tobago earlier this week, dropping air quality levels across the country to Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups, level 3 of 6 on the Air Quality Index.
What you need to know
— Saharan Dust Surges: Elevated dust levels are forecast to remain across T&T and the Windwards through Sunday, March 2nd, 2026. After a short-lived break, a brief surge of Saharan Dust moves through the area on Tuesday, March 4th, 2026, and from Wednesday, March 5th, 2026, little to no Saharan Dust is forecast across the country through March 9th.
— What Should You Do: Sensitive groups should continue take the necessary precautions, particularly during high traffic and in the vicinity of fires.
Current AQI Levels Across T&T
As of 5:00 PM February 26th, 2026, all official air quality monitoring stations from the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) are not reporting PM2.5 (particulates smaller than 2.5 micrometers in size, typically associated with increases in Saharan Dust, vehicle exhaust, and smoke) and PM10 particulate data.
However, unofficial air quality monitoring stations in Longdenville and Woodbrook report moderate air quality.
Outside of rainfall, visibility, used as a proxy for Saharan Dust concentrations, is 10 kilometers at the A.N.R. Robinson International Airport at Crown Point, Tobago, and at 6 kilometers at Piarco.
Editor’s note: The EMA’s air quality dashboard has not been reporting PM2.5 or PM10 particulate data for some time due to equipment upgrades. Although the EMA’s dashboard may show good air quality during this Saharan Dust event, the data are based on carbon monoxide, ozone, nitrous oxide, and sulphur dioxide measurements, not on Saharan Dust particulates.
Saharan Dust Forecast For T&T
February 26th through March 1st: Decreasing but still high concentrations of Saharan Dust through the four-day period, with air quality levels gradually improving from unhealthy for sensitive groups to moderate. Horizontal visibility remains diminished below 10 kilometers throughout the forecast period.
March 2nd: Little to no Saharan Dust present across T&T. Air quality levels at good. Horizontal visibility is unaffected.
March 3rd: Moderate concentrations of Saharan Dust present across T&T. Air quality levels at moderate. Horizontal visibility marginally affected, near 9-10 kilometers.
March 4th through March 8th: Little to no Saharan Dust present across T&T. Air quality levels at good. Horizontal visibility is unaffected.
What does this mean for you?
From February 26th, air quality is forecast to gradually improve across Trinidad and Tobago as higher concentrations of Saharan Dust move westward. However, with elevated concentrations still present and drier conditions increasing the risk of fires, air quality is forecast to remain reduced, with further reductions in areas affected by fires, blowing smoke and dust, and high traffic.
We’ve entered a period in which a ridge of high pressure remains over the central Sahara Desert, while the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) remains over the Gulf of Guinea, extending southwestward to Brazil. The Harmattan wind (see below) accelerates when it blows across the mountain massifs of Northwest Africa. If its speed is high enough and it blows over dust source regions, it lifts the dust and disperses it.
The dust surges during this time of year are due to the Harmattan, a season across the West African subcontinent that occurs between the end of November and the middle of March. During this season, a predominant northeasterly trade wind (dubbed the Harmattan Winds) blows from the Sahara Desert over Western Africa into the Gulf of Guinea.
Dust that reaches the upper levels of the atmosphere can then be transported across the Atlantic Ocean and affect the Eastern Caribbean. These Saharan Dust outbreaks tend to be milder in the Eastern Caribbean.
Larger, more concentrated plumes of Saharan dust begin in April and continue through November.
