The summer solstice on Friday, June 21, the longest day of 2019, and the start of the summer season brought with it an increase in actual and perceived temperatures. Over the weekend temperatures were way over 33° C and in some cases these reached 36° C (96.8°F).
According to the National Meteorological Office (Onamet), the forecast for the next days is for little rain and lots of heat. From now until 23 September 2019, the weather will be hot, and it will feel even hotter because of dust coming from the Sahara Desert, carried by tradewinds.
This phenomenon can be noted on your newly washed car after a brief rain shower: as the drops dry out, you can observe a small ring of dirt where the water dried up. That dirt is from the Sahara Desert.
The UV Index is also at its peak, and for that reason, Onamet suggests that everyone avoid direct sunlight from 11am until 4pm.
Meteorologist Henry Agramonte told reporters that the tropical waves that pass over the island also bring the dust, which contributes to these high temperatures. He recommended persons with respiratory ailments should use surgical masks when outdoors because the sand contains pathogens that can be harmful to such persons.
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El Caribe
24 June 2019