“Hazy conditions will continue across the Leeward islands and the BVI inhibiting showers for the next 24 hours” is the current forecast from National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in St. Kitts.

According to similar weather forecasts for neighbouring islands, the current conditions are due to a “fresh surge in Saharan Dust” moving across the Leeward Islands.

The Antigua Met offices stated that the air quality is “Moderate” and conditions are expected to last until this Saturday.

Accuweather meteorologists have indicated that this is “the first trans-Atlantic Saharan dust cloud of 2022.”
At this time, the Antigua met offices are alerting people within the impacted areas these include “people with respiratory diseases, such as asthma, to limit prolonged outdoor exertion.”

The enormous plume of dust is made of dry air carrying dust from the Sahara Desert as it embarks on a journey across the Atlantic Ocean. The dust makes its annual trip from May to August and can reach as far as the central United States, spiking air pollution and agitating health issues, according to accuweather.com.