CMC – The Barbados-based Caribbean Climate Outlook Forum (CariCOF) the Pacific has transitioned out of La Niña and ocean temperatures around the Caribbean are expected to be close to average.
La Niña is characterized by unusually cold ocean temperatures in the Equatorial Pacific, compared to El Niño, which is characterized by unusually warm ocean temperatures.
It said nevertheless, long-term drought concerns are rising in parts of Cuba, while the effects of frequent dry spells across the Islands and Belize will likely continue, with a peak in wild fire potential and Saharan dust intrusions.
“There is a likelihood of heatwaves in Belize, Cuba, Jamaica and Trinidad from April, and from May elsewhere in the Islands. By contrast, the potential for flooding, flash floods and cascading hazards will increase to moderate or high into May,” CariCOf added.
It said current severe (or worse) short term drought has developed in southeast Cuba, eastern Dominican Republic, Haiti, and Jamaica and severe (or worse) long term drought has developed in Haiti, and St. Vincent.
CariCOF said that short-term drought situation by the end of June 2023 might possibly develop in the Northern Bahamas, Barbados, northern Belize, Grand Cayman, Eastern and Western Cuba, Dominican Republic, Grenada, eastern Jamaica, western Puerto Rico, St. Vincent, Trinidad and Tobago, and the United States Virgin Islands (USVI).
More Stories
Barbados has a new Ambassador to Cuba
Gazans start leaving eastern Rafah
Recycling a hot topic