A new cloud of Sahara dust It arrived in Puerto Rico today and will remain in the local area until the beginning of next week, warned the National Weather Service (SNM).
Meteorologist Ian Colón Pagán indicated that this haze episode will not be as intense as the one that affected Puerto Rico at the beginning of last week, but it will change the weather conditions and air quality.
“This cloud is already affecting the area and very little rain is seen in the morning hours. Already in the afternoon we would have downpours in western Puerto Rico but they will not be significant. In general there will be a lot of sun, misty conditions, winds from 10 to 15 miles per hour east-southeast and also very hot, “explained the expert in an interview with The new day.
He further anticipated that various parts of the island could record maximum temperatures in the high 80s to low 90s Fahrenheit (ºF) and heat indices between 102-107ºF.
The Department of Natural and Environmental Resources has already reported the first effects of Saharan dust in the air whose index is 59 under the moderate category.
The past episode of dust from the Sahara that affected the island caused the air quality index to become dangerous due to the high concentrations of particulate.
However, people with allergies or some type of respiratory disease should take their medications and stay outdoors as little as possible to avoid exposing themselves to any health complications.
This dust cloud from the Sahara will limit the formation of downpours, so it will not be until next Wednesday that a disturbance will arrive with the ability to generate precipitation, according to weather models.
Puerto Rico has experienced episodes of dust from the Sahara due to the influence of a high pressure system in the central Atlantic that rotates clockwise and transports that dust that leaves the desert to the tropical Atlantic and the Caribbean. This is the high season for this type of phenomenon.
As the peak of the hurricane season approaches, the high pressure begins to weaken and move further north. For this reason, the peak of the hurricane season is from August to October, because there is no dry air and dust from the Sahara.
Meanwhile, Colón Pagán reported that there is a warning for small boat operators due to waves of up to seven feet in some sectors of local waters and passages.
Furthermore, the wind could blow up to 20 knots and the risk of marine currents is moderate for all the beaches of Puerto Rico, except for the west of the island.
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