Residents of Antigua and Barbuda are being advised to take precautions as air quality levels dip to moderate due to another surge of Saharan dust affecting the islands.

According to the Antigua and Barbuda Meteorological Services, the air quality index (AQI) currently ranges between 50 and 70, placing it within the “moderate” category. The conditions are expected to persist until later today.

This latest episode marks the twenty-fifth notable surge of Saharan dust over the country for 2025, with elevated levels of fine particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) being recorded in the atmosphere.

Climatologist Dale Destin explained that while the current dust plume is not severe, some individuals may still experience mild health effects.

“Air quality remains generally acceptable for most of the population,” Destin said. “However, unusually sensitive individuals—especially asthmatics, the elderly, and young children—should take care and limit prolonged outdoor activity until conditions improve.”

The Meteorological Service has placed air pollution at Alert Level II, noting that the health risk remains low for the general public. Still, people with respiratory or heart conditions are urged to stay indoors as much as possible and keep up to date with the latest forecasts.