Saharan dust will raise temperatures and heat index to 45°C this Friday in the Dominican Republic.

Santo Domingo – The presence of a dense layer of Saharan dust over the Central Caribbean will cause a significant increase in temperatures this Friday in the Dominican Republic, with highs reaching 37-38 degrees Celsius and a heat index up to 45 degrees, according to the weather report.

High temperatures were recorded across much of the country from early morning due to Saharan dust limiting nighttime cooling of the surface. In the first hours of the day, temperatures reached 28°C in Santo Domingo, 25°C in Santiago, 22°C in Constanza, and 27°C in Samaná and Montecristi—values ​​considered high for that time of day.

Meteorologists explained that as the day progresses and solar radiation increases, heat will intensify due to the combination of high temperatures and Saharan dust, generating sweltering conditions across much of the country.

Given this situation, authorities recommend that the public stay well hydrated, avoid prolonged sun exposure during peak hours, and pay special attention to those who work outdoors, such as construction workers, municipal employees, electrical crews, and others in professions exposed to extreme heat. They also urge people to drink water frequently, even in air-conditioned spaces.