Caribbean Haze

[senorpepr]

my try at illustration:

I may agree with the southern part of your analysis being smoke. Although, I think a lot of what you have pointed out is sun glint.

Low level winds are all easterly, so that shouldn't drift the smoke in that direction.

I'll bet on NDG's theory: Saharan dust or other pollutants in the lower atmosphere being kept from mixing

[JonathanBelles]

I thought about that when I did it. But that goldish color doesnt stop or change color as it protrudes north.

[senorpepr]

I thought about that when I did it. But that goldish color doesnt stop or change color as it protrudes north.

Yeah, it's tough. If you look at a high-res loop you can see the glint moving east to west whereas the fuzzy smoke just meanders.

[caribepr]

Though it's early yet, we still have The Haze this morning. All interesting explanations. I just find the Sahara Dust one hard to accept (but willing to accept I'm wrong... it just doesn't look or act like dust we are used to) and hope very much that it isn't toxins. Seems like one of the universities on one of the islands should be able to do an air quality / containment measurement?

Ok, looks like it is dust! Weird.

http://www.caribbeannetnews.com/news-7698--19-19--.html

[cycloneye]

Ok,I will throw another event to see if this has something to do with the very thick haze we are seeing in the Eastern Caribbean.What about the Volcano eruption in Chile?

[msbee]

I thought about that too Luis..and people here have been asking the same question.
Now I am more confused than ever,. The Caribbean News report from St. Thomas indicates that it is Saharan dust..but you
still cannot see that on the satellite image



Look at it! It shows absolutely nothing over the Northern Caribbean!

[caribepr]

It DOES look more like ash than dust, and we're not getting the SD sunsets either...but...that's what they're saying.

[Weathermaster]

Yes. local met in PR also said it is Saharan Dust and will be with us for all the weekend.

[caribepr]

One guy I know who lives on his sailboat, and has for maybe 50 years or so (he's got to be in his 80's) agrees with the scientists. He says he can feel it on his teeth and that it's definitely dust

It's been clearing up here today...the sky can actually be seen as a color now!

[HUC]

Always nothing in the Cims analysis...... That poses a real problem,not for the haze,because all the local forecasters are calling about Saharian dust,but for the credibility of the Cimss analysis!!!!!!

[msbee]

I always thought the Cimss analysis was pretty accurate but I guess not

[MiamiensisWx]

Actually, the CMISS SAL imagery is technically accurate. Firstly, the SAL and dust outbreaks are different entities, though they are often misinterpreted as the same thing on this forum. It is important to note that the SAL (Saharan Air Layer) is not dust. It is a stable air mass of Sahelian/Saharan origin, though it often contains some dust particles. The CMISS imagery strictly analyzes the air mass; it does NOT analyze any dust that is involved with the SAL. In a nutshell, your islands are receiving the western extent of a Saharan dust "bloom", but the CMISS imagery does not detect it. It detects the air layer or mass. Here's a good explanation.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saharan_Air_Layer

"The Saharan Air Layer (SAL) is an intensely dry, warm and sometimes dust-laden layer of the atmosphere which often overlays the cooler, more-humid surface air of the Atlantic Ocean. In the Sahara Desert region of North Africa, where it originates, it is the prevalent atmosphere, extending from the surface upwards several kilometers. As it drives, or is driven, out over the ocean, it is lifted above the denser marine air. This arrangement is an inversion where the temperature increases with height. The boundary between the SAL and the marine layer suppresses or "caps" any convection originating in the marine layer. Since it is dry air, the lapse rate within the SAL itself is steep, that is, the temperature falls rapidly with height."

[HUC]

Thank's MiamiensisWx for the explanation.
What i have to add,and it's something that wee forget,is that the trades are generaly dry in a great part of the Atlantic. It is when the trades are approching the islands that the orographic effect is playing it's rôle. Thank's again

[msbee]

Thanks MiamiensisWx
That was very helpful

[Gustywind]

Hi everbody ,tkanks for the explanation MiamiensisWx...How are you friends from the Carib...especially HUC and msbee? Hope you're in shape because i'm waiting for the beginning of the season with
Whereas it iseems that in our area we continue today with this same pattern dry hot and persistent saharian dust.
See yoo soon

[canetracker]

Ok,I will throw another event to see if this has something to do with the very thick haze we are seeing in the Eastern Caribbean.What about the Volcano eruption in Chile?

MiamiensisWx I like your explanation too. However, do you think Cycloneye's idea could have any validity? I also felt like we had a very slight haze here in Louisiana last night. It was different and I even asked my husband if he noticed a different smell in the air. I don't profess to have any knowledge on this subject, but just curious.

[senorpepr]

I would guess that the validity of Chaiten being part of the equation is next to zero. PUFF (ash dispersion/trajectory) models have the ash plump moving east to east-southeast... staying SOUTH of 40°S. The chances that it's the volcano is fairly low.

[Gustywind]

All is ok in our island since more than a week no haze or dust, but very beautiful and tremendously hot and dry near a little drought, hope for some showers, we keep our fingers crossed we're approaching 31°c sometimes....
http://cimss.ssec.wisc.edu/tropic/real- ... 0split.jpg