REGION: CariCOF climate outlook

The Barbados-based Caribbean Climate Outlook Forum (CariCOF) says the transition between the wet and dry season is forecast to feature particularly high flooding, flash flood and landslide potential across Belize and the Caribbean Islands.

In its latest Caribbean Climate Outlooks publication for the period October to December, CariCOFsaid La Niña conditions unfolding in the Pacific increases the probability of such hazards.

“In October, heat stress will likely remain high due to high humidity and temperatures south- and eastwards of Guadeloupe. On a brighter note, copious rains should ease drought concerns by the end of this period for most,” it added.

CariCOF said as of September 1, severe “or worse” shorter term drought has developed in coastal Belize and far eastern Guadeloupe, and continues in southwestern Dominica, northwestern Martinique and northern St. Lucia.

It said long term drought is occurring in the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Grand Cayman, the Dominican Republic, Guyana Suriname, Trinidad, Turks and Caicos Islands and the Windward Islands except Dominica and Grenada.

“Long term drought should slowly ease and concerns decrease in most affected areas. By the end of November, long term, at the end of November, drought concern should evolve in Dominica, and expected to possibly continue in Belize, Martinique and Suriname.

“Shorter term drought is unlikely to be of significant concern by the end of November, with the possible exception of parts of southern Belize” CariCOF said. (CMC)