Characterizing aerosol optical depth measurements and forecasts of Saharan dust events at Camagüey, Cuba, during July 2009

Saharan dust aerosol optical depth (AOD) sun-photometer measurements conducted at Camagüey, Cuba, during July 2009 are compared with the SKIRON model AOD forecasts and the AOD MODIS measurements. The differences for the daily mean AOD values from SKIRON forecasts and from MODIS measurements (both Terra and Aqua) are lower than the differences of the daily AOD maximums. The results demonstrate the capabilities for developing an alert and tracking system for Saharan dust events across the Atlantic. © Sociedad Española de Óptica.