Residents across the Dominican Republic are expected to experience another weekend of intense heat as a cloud of Saharan dust combined with smoke from Canadian wildfires continues to affect the country. Meteorological analyst Jean Suriel said the dusty conditions will gradually weaken on Sunday, although a nearby tropical wave is expected to increase the likelihood of showers later in the day.
According to Suriel, the weather pattern will make Father’s Day weekend especially hot, with the heat index forecast to range between 40°C and 45°C in several areas. The highest apparent temperatures are expected in the northwestern and western provinces of Dajabón, Monte Cristi, Santiago Rodríguez, Valverde, and Elías Piña.
Saharan Dust and Smoke Reduce Air Quality
Suriel explained that particles from Saharan dust cloud No. 12 reached the Dominican Republic on Friday, creating hazy skies across much of the country. The combination of African dust and smoke transported across the Atlantic from Canadian wildfires is expected to worsen air quality temporarily.
People with respiratory conditions or allergies are advised to take extra precautions, as the elevated concentration of airborne particles could increase eye, skin, and respiratory irritation throughout the weekend.
Rain Chances Increase Late Sunday
Although Saharan dust will remain present on Sunday, its influence is expected to decrease. By late afternoon, the approach of Tropical Wave No. 30 could trigger scattered showers and localized downpours across many parts of the country.
Earlier in the weekend, isolated showers remain possible as tropical moisture interacts with the lingering dust plume, despite generally hot and partly cloudy conditions.
More Moisture Expected on Monday
Looking ahead to Monday, Suriel forecast a shift toward more humid conditions as the Saharan dust moves away. Combined with the passage of the tropical wave and persistent daytime heat, increasing moisture is expected to generate periods of rain after midday and during the afternoon across portions of the Dominican Republic.
While rainfall is expected to become more widespread at the start of the new week, temperatures will remain warm, maintaining summer-like conditions throughout much of the country.