A ‘small’ cloud of Saharan dust has settled over sections of Jamaica on Monday (January 24), with citizens in Kingston and Montego Bay observing noticeably hazy skies.

The dust plume, a phenomenon that is most prolific during the annual hurricane season, is not an immediate cause of concern, according to the Jamaica Meteorological Service.

When contacted, a source at the Met Office confirmed the presence of Saharan dust, advising that the impact on aviation interests, visibility and overall air quality would be “negligible”.

In the meantime, the Jamaica Met Service, in its 5:00 am daily forecast, noted a trough as the dominating weather feature over the next 48 hours. Further afield, a stationary cold front straddles the northern Bahamas.

“The trough is expected to remain across Jamaica until Tuesday when a high-pressure ridge builds across the central Caribbean,” the national weather watchdog indicated.

Local conditions are expected to remain mainly sunny islandwide, with isolated afternoon showers in store for south-central and western parishes.

The maximum temperature expected for cities Kingston and Montego Bay is 30 degrees Celcius.

Breakdown of towns and cities forecast: 

There are no marine warnings issued for the north and south coasts of Jamaica at this time.