CariCOF warns of increased heat stress in October

CariCOF (Caribbean Climate Outlook Forum) based in Barbados, issued a statement on Monday regarding North Atlantic temperatures. The Caribbean has been plagued by high temperatures during the ongoing hurricane season.

One might assume that the heat is the major issue, but the biggest problem faced is that of the strong tropical cyclone activity caused by high temperatures. The current hurricane season has been one of the most active ones in recent memory.

The latest version of CariCOF’s Caribbean Climate Outlooks, the organization explained that the period from October to December is going to be a very critical one. Amplified levels of heat are expected, especially in the month of October. The heat will also be accompanied by humidity and regular heat waves.

Based on these predictions, it has been postulated that this season is going to be record breaking in terms of heat, specifically for the Caribbean.

CariCOF has also stated that during the wet season this year, the Caribbean will experience intense rain. This will also raise the risk of floods and cascading hazards.

“However, a moderate to strong El Niño in the Pacific should dampen rainfall frequency in Belize and the southern Caribbean, where drought concerns arise. Heat and drought are a growing concern in the coastal Guianas, as is flood potential through December,” CariCOF added.

It was also mentioned that the areas of Grand Cayman, French Guiana, northern Guyana, eastern Suriname, Tobago, US Virgin Islands were experiencing severe short-term droughts as of September.

The areas of western Belize, Dominica, southern French Guiana, Martinique, southeast Puerto Rico, St Vincent, Trinidad and Tobago, Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao, Barbados, French Guiana, Grenada, St Lucia, and Sint Maarten/St Martin are said to be experiencing a long-term drought, expected to last till the end of November.

CariCOF has also marked the areas of southern French Guiana, Suriname, Trinidad, Dominica, Guyana, Martinique, St Lucia, St Vincent, and northern French Guiana for short term droughts which are likely to extend till the end of December.

The gist of the story is that CariCOF has given a comprehensive summary of the weather conditions that the Caribbean is likely to experience. The net result of those hot, humid and sometimes arid sections in the season, which will be interspersed with tropical depressions which could lead to cyclones and tropical storms.

While the Caribbean is used to such weather conditions, the intensity and record-breaking extent to which temperatures are likely to rise and fluctuate has made the season a tough one to bear with for many.

Add to that, the many weather systems that are building up in the Caribbean and you have quite a problem at your hands. This is why the Caribbean has been having a tough time with weather related issues this season.