CariCOF forecasts intense warm weather for Caribbean in 2024

CariCOF (Caribbean Climate Outlook Forum), based in Barbados, released a Newsletter on Tuesday regarding the North Atlantic Temperatures. The Caribbean regions are forecasted to experience intense warm weather till June. 

It said that 2024 will be a climate extremes year in the Caribbean. As per the Newsletter, the CariCOF has forecasted a waning El Nino event in the Pacific and reported a warm temperature in the Tropical North Atlantic from April to June. 

The term EL Nino is associated with the warming of the ocean surface or the temperatures above- -average sea surface in the areas of the Central and Eastern tropical Pacific Ocean. 

“Hence, the region is set to enter an intense summer season with frequent heat waves, as well as the onset of an intense rainy season”, CariCOF added. 

The reports further claimed that there are high chances of a sharp rise in shower intensity and frequency, which will result in various natural disasters such as flooding, cascading hazards, and flash floods, except in the areas of Bonnaire, Aruba, and Curacao (ABC Islands).

It has been estimated that the temperature will break all records this year, and there will be moderate to heavy rainfall. 

“It is unknown how frequently the Caribbean will be invaded by dry, dusty Sahara air. If very frequent, this period will be characterized by erratic rainfall activity, intermittent dry spells, and the potential for sustained drought, record-breaking heat, and wildfires.”, CariCOF officials remarked. 

CariCOF further claimed that from the beginning of March, there is a chance of moderate to worse short-term drought development in French Guiana, Guyana, southwest Suriname, Puerto Rico, Grenada, Martinique, and Tobago.

By the end of May, long-term drought can occur in several areas such as Suriname, Puerto Rico, Central Cuba, northern Belize, Jamaica, Dominica, ABC islands, Trinidad and Tobago, Grand Cayman, and Southwest Belize.

Additionally, the chances are high, especially in mountainous areas and the Guianas. People are advised to be prepared for such forthcoming situations.