Dominican Republic braces for intense heat and Saharan haze with chance of afternoon showers

Santo Domingo.- Residents across the country can expect another sweltering day under a pale gray sky as Saharan dust continues to blanket the Dominican Republic, the National Meteorology Institute (Indomet) reported Friday. The fine, sun-blocking particles will limit cloud formation and keep conditions mostly dry through the morning.

Indomet warns, however, that a weak low-level trough moving in this afternoon could trigger brief, scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms, accompanied by sudden gusts of wind. These showers are most likely to develop over Hato Mayor, Monte Plata, Sánchez Ramírez, Monseñor Nouel, San Juan, Elías Piña, Santiago Rodríguez and Dajabón, tapering off by early evening.

Thermometers will climb to a high of 33°C to 35°C (91°F–95°F), with overnight lows lingering between 22°C and 24°C (72°F–75°F). Under the sun and through the dusty haze, the heat index may feel even more oppressive, prompting health officials to advise people to stay hydrated and take frequent breaks in the shade.

In the Greater Santo Domingo area, the capital will see scattered clouds but no relief from the heat. Santo Domingo Norte, Este and Oeste will experience similar conditions, with only occasional patches of cloud cover.

Offshore, seas remain calm with normal wave heights along both the Atlantic and Caribbean coasts. Meanwhile, Indomet continues to track a tropical wave in the Atlantic that could develop into a more organized system in the days ahead. Motorists are urged to drive carefully when visibility drops, and everyone should remain alert for sudden showers and gusty winds this afternoon.