The latest spate of Sahara dust to hit the territory will be around through Tuesday evening, meteorologist David Sanchez at the National Weather Service in San Juan said Monday.
The dust began to creep in Saturday, leaving gritty deposits on vehicles, porches and whatever was open to the elements.
While residents may not enjoy cleaning up the dirt, Sanchez said the Sahara dust helps to prevent hurricane formation.
“It’s accompanied by lots of dry air that makes it hard for tropical waves or low-pressure areas to develop,” he said.
Hurricane season began June 1 and runs through Nov. 30.
Sanchez said residents and visitors should look forward to fair weather with a few isolated showers through June 25.
The dust isn’t good for people with asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or other respiratory problems, according to Dr. Marc Jerome, the Health Department medical director.
“The people most affected already have respiratory disease,” he said.
Jerome urged those with breathing issues to stay inside, to turn on the air conditioner if they have one, and to close the windows on the side of the building where the breeze blows in to keep the dust out.
He said age isn’t a factor unless that person already has health issues. “But breathing any kind of polluted air is always risky,” Jerome said.
