Plume of Saharan dust currently affecting Barbados

A plume of Saharan dust haze is currently affecting Barbados and the marine area.

A dust-haze advisory is issued when dust haze has already or is forecast to reduce visibility between 5 to 10km within 48 hours across the island and within the marine area.

Hazard Info:

The dust haze plume has started to move across Barbados from the early hours of this morning, reducing visibility slightly across the island and marine area.

However, the thicker section of the plume still remains just east of Barbados and is expected to move across the
area this afternoon.

This will result in a further reduction in visibility across Barbados and the marine area this afternoon and into
tonight.

Satellite imagery products this morning have shown some slight diffusion of the plume which was also predicted by model guidance over the past 24 hours or so. In addition, the guidance suggests that further diffusion is likely this afternoon and into tonight.

Hence the advisory will only be in effect for this afternoon and maybe extended into tonight by later this evening if conditions warrant.

Conditions should improve by Monday 22nd February, 2021 as most of the dust haze would have moved out of the area.

Key Messages:

• Residents, visitors, and marine users should be prepared to take action, as a significant reduction in visibility is either likely or already occurring.

• Persons with respiratory issues or allergies should ensure that they travel with, or have close at hand, all prescribed medications.

• Marine users should monitor the situation closely, along with the forecast for any further deterioration.