USVI-On-Line

From the <a href="http://www.onepaper.com/stthomasvi/?p=1 ... rce</b></a> this morning:

<blockquote>May 8, 2008 -- Officials from the Department of Planning and Natural Resources said late Thursday afternoon they expected the Sahara dust causing hazy skies over the Virgin Islands to continue to affect the area for "another few days."
Dust is kicked up by storms in the desert and rises in the warm air, then travels thousands of miles across the Atlantic basin to the Lesser Antilles, reducing visibility and adversely affecting air quality, according to a statement from DPNR.
The dust can aggravate emphysema, asthma and other lung disorders.
DPNR said although there is no need to boil cistern water at this point, residents should block downspouts to avoid the dust particles and potential contaminants from washing into cisterns. Officials recommended drinking bottled water until they were sure the dust carried no serious impurities.</blockquote>

I don't know Pia - is Dave just going on other news reports? I would hope (!) that the DPNR release was based on some facts, and they seem to think it is the dust and not the ash. I am not sure where Dave is getting his information from.

I've been following this forum ...
There are satellite images that the haze is smoke from fires in Venezuela.

http://www.storm2k.org/phpbb2/viewtopic ... 5#p1706315

I have known Gert and that site forever, yes. I didn't know Dave was a local. This is interesting then - I wonder who is closer to being correct or if it is a combination of both of these things - the dust and the ash. What do you think? We definitely had ash events from the volcano when I lived on St. Thomas - you could tell from the residue on the cars, etc. It seems different than the dust. Are you seeing anything settle or is it just looking hazy there?

Why is there always something to worry about just before you're scheduled to arrive?

If it's not the weather, it's the possibility of an airline strike. If not the airline, it's a cloud of mystery dust from some volcano/desert/wild fires.

Granted there are bigger things in life to be concerned with, but how much of an impact is the dust having right now?

Sahara haze all in my brain
Lately things just dont seem the same
Actin funny, but I dont know why
scuse me while I drink this painkiller!

pia.

wow cannot beleive this. we are due to arrive this afternoon. i am just getting over an acute case of bronchitis.....how is this going to affect me? i agree with diver it seems it is always something. been fighting this bronchitis all week so i can go and now this. ah mon now what? tell me it is going to be allright. we should arrive on the 4 ferry. i am bummed. thanks darling!!!

I don't think you'll have anything to worry about. Yes, it was a little hazy the past few days, but other than that, I don't think I would have even realized that anything was all that out of the ordinary. Comparable to a hot, hazy and somewhat humid day. Ali~

Also I bet the various webcams make it (the haze) look worse than it is when you are actually there.

I checked Pia's StormCarib link, and am wondering about what Dave says here:

Another good idea is to boil your cistern water if you do drink from them (not me!)as the dust settles on your roof and washes into your cistern at first rainfall. Decontamination of your cistern by adding pills or bleach is also recommended.

Is cistern water the same as tap water? We're coming to St. John on Monday, and were planning on bringing a Pur water filter pitcher. That way we could use the water from the villa's tap for drinking instead of buying bottled water. Is that a bad idea with the dust situation?

snorkeloony,
Cistern water is rain water collected from the roof of your house you will be staying in. All the dust and other particles (use your imagination) will flow into the cistern. Unless the house has a filtration system to make potable water, DO NOT bother bringing your pitcher with a filter. Most homes have a filter of some type to remove large particulates to make the water 'cleaner' for showering and cooking with. Check with your villa management company.

Sorry Cali Girl, I would just bring a bathing suit, and snorkel gear, and sunscreen. Well maybe a shirt or two, and then buy everything else here.

We drink bottled water here. For the most part locals buy water from St John Ice in the Lumberyard complex. Sometimes when I am at Starfish I buy water there. Hope that helps.