A significant plume of Saharan dust has moved into the region, affecting Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands from July 18 to July 21. The National Weather Service (NWS) in San Juan has classified this event as moderate to severe.
The dust event is expected to cause some limitations to visibility in the affected areas. Unlike previous dust events, this one is expected to last longer but is anticipated to clear out by Sunday afternoon, according to NWS.
Along with the dust, the Saharan air will bring very warm temperatures to the region, with heat indices exceeding 108°F in many lower elevation sites.
Residents are advised to stay indoors during the peak heat hours and to take necessary precautions to avoid heat-related illnesses.
