SPI December 2013

SPI Monitor December 2013

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Discussion

December 2013

Normal to above normal conditions were experienced in the eastern Caribbean and Guyana. Trinidad; Dominica and Antigua were abnormally wet; Tobago and Barbados normal; Grenada and Anguilla exceptionally wet; St. Vincent moderate to very wet; St. Lucia extremely wet; St. Maarten moderately wet; St. Croix very wet; and Guyana moderately wet in the west to normal in the east. Puerto Rico was moderately wet, while the Dominican Republic Jamaica and Grand Cayman were normal. Conditions in Belize ranged from abnormally wet in the south to extremely wet in the north.

October 2013 to December 2013

SPI October 2013 - December 2013

The eastern Caribbean and Guyana were predominantly normal to above normal for the three month period. Trinidad was very to extremely wet; Tobago, Grenada, St. Lucia and Anguilla abnormally wet; Barbados, Dominica, Antigua, St. Kitts, St. Maarten and St. Croix normal; St Vincent moderately wet; and Guyana moderately wet in the west and abnormally wet in the east. Puerto Rico was predominantly abnormally wet while the Dominican Republic was predominantly normal. Jamaica was moderately dry in the west and abnormally dry in the east, while Grand Cayman was normal. Conditions in Belize ranged from exceptionally wet in the west to very wet in the north, south and east.

July 2013 to December 2013

SPI July 2013 - December 2013

For the six month period, mixed rainfall totals were the experiences of the eastern Caribbean and Guyana. Trinidad was moderately wet; Tobago, Barbados, St. Vincent, St. Lucia, Dominica, Anguilla, St. Maarten and St. Croix normal; Grenada moderately dry; Antigua and St. Kitts abnormally dry; and Guyana normal in the extreme north to moderately wet further south. Puerto Rico was extremely wet, while the Dominican Republic was normal. Apart from the northwestern region that was abnormally dry, Jamaica was normal, and Grand Cayman normal. Conditions in Belize ranged from abnormally wet in the south to exceptionally wet in the north.

January 2013 to December 2013

SPI January 2013 - December 2013

Apart from Grenada and St. Kitts that were abnormally dry, the eastern Caribbean and Guyana were normal to above normal. Trinidad was extremely wet; Tobago, St. Vincent; Anguilla, St. Maarten and St. Croix normal; Barbados and St. Lucia abnormally wet; Dominica moderately wet; and Guyana normal to the north and abnormally wet further south. Puerto Rico was exceptionally wet, while conditions in the Dominican Republic ranged from moderately dry in the south west to very wet in the northeast. Jamaica was abnormally dry in the west and normal in the east, while Grand Cayman was normal. Conditions in Belize ranged from abnormally wet in the south to extremely wet in the north.

Disclaimer

The information contained herein is provided with the understanding that The Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology makes no warranties, either expressed or implied, concerning the accuracy, completeness, reliability, or suitability of the Outlook. The information may be used freely by the public with appropriate acknowledgement of its source, but shall not be modified in content and then presented as original material.

The maps produced used SPI values calculated from monthly rainfall totals from land stations and NCEP/NCAR reanalysis data. Only land station data is used for the eastern Caribbean, described here as from Georgetown, Guyana in the south to Anguilla in the north. The Greater (and Western) Antilles is less represented by land stations. However efforts are being made to include more land stations from that part of the region. Note that the severity implied by the index is relative to what is normal for that period of consideration. Normal in the drier season reflects less rainfall than in the wetter season.

 

SPI Monitor November 2013

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Disclaimer

The information contained herein is provided with the understanding that The Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology makes no warranties, either expressed or implied, concerning the accuracy, completeness, reliability, or suitability of the Outlook. The information may be used freely by the public with appropriate acknowledgement of its source, but shall not be modified in content and then presented as original material.

*Please note that from the December 2012 issue, information on any potential hot-spots or areas of concern will be added at the end of the discussion*

 

Discussion

November 2013

In the eastern Caribbean and Guyana, the southern portion was above normal while the remainder of the chain was normal to below normal. Trinidad was moderate to very wet; Tobago, Barbados, St. Vincent, St. Lucia, Antigua, St. Kitts, Anguilla, St. Maarten and St. Croix normal; Grenada severely dry; Dominica moderately dry; and Guyana moderately wet. Puerto Rico was moderately wet while the Dominican Republic was predominantly normal except for the extreme wet. Jamaica was normal but Grand Cayman moderately wet. The eastern half of Cuba was normal, while the western half ranged from exceptionally wet in the extreme west to abnormally wet close to central areas of the island. Belize was moderately wet in the west and abnormally wet in the east.

September 2013 to November 2013

As for November, the southern portion of the eastern Caribbean and Guyana was above normal while the remainder of the chain was normal to below normal. Trinidad was predominantly very wet; Tobago abnormally wet; Grenada extremely dry; Barbados, St. Vincent, Anguilla and St. Croix normal; St. Lucia, Dominica and Antigua abnormally dry; St. Kitts moderately dry; and Guyana ranging from normal in the west to moderately wet in the east. Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic were normal. Jamaica was moderately dry in the west and abnormally dry in the east, while Grand Cayman was normal. The western and eastern portions of Cuba experienced the two extremes, as the west was abnormal to exceptionally wet and the east abnormal to extremely dry and central areas normal. Conditions in Belize ranged from very wet in the west to abnormally wet in the east.

June 2013 to November 2013

In the eastern Caribbean and Guyana, the pattern of the wet south and normal to below normal conditions in the remainder of the area continued for the six month period. Trinidad was moderate to very wet; Tobago, Barbados, St. Vincent, St. Lucia, Anguilla and St. Croix normal; Grenada exceptionally dry; Antigua and St. Kitts moderately dry; St. Maarten abnormally dry; and Guyana ranging from normal in the northwest to very wet in the east. Puerto Rico was exceptionally wet but the Dominican Republic was normal. Conditions in Jamaica ranged from moderately dry in the west to normal in the east, while Grand Cayman was normal. The western and eastern portions of Cuba experienced the two extremes, as the west was abnormal to exceptionally wet and the east abnormal to exceptionally dry and central areas normal. Conditions in Belize ranged from normal in the south to exceptionally wet in the north.

December 2012 to November 2013

Mixed conditions were experienced in the eastern Caribbean and Guyana. Trinidad was extremely wet; Tobago and Barbados moderately wet; Grenada severely dry; St. Vincent, St. Lucia, Antigua, Anguilla and St. Croix normal; Dominica abnormally wet; and Guyana normal to abnormally wet. Puerto Rico was exceptionally wet, while the Dominican Republic ranged from moderately dry in the south west to moderately wet in the east. Jamaica was abnormally dry in the west and normal in the east, while Grand Cayman was normal. The western and eastern portions of Cuba experienced the two extremes, as the west was abnormal to exceptionally wet and the east abnormal to exceptionally dry and central areas normal. Conditions in Belize ranged from normal in the south to moderately wet in the north.

SPI Monitor October 2013

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Disclaimer

The information contained herein is provided with the understanding that The Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology makes no warranties, either expressed or implied, concerning the accuracy, completeness, reliability, or suitability of the Outlook. The information may be used freely by the public with appropriate acknowledgement of its source, but shall not be modified in content and then presented as original material.

*Please note that from the December 2012 issue, information on any potential hot-spots or areas of concern will be added at the end of the discussion*

 

Discussion

October 2013

Diverse conditions existed across the eastern Caribbean and Guyana, particularly separating the normal to below normal north from the normal to above normal south. Trinidad and St. Vincent were moderately wet; Tobago very wet; Grenada, St. Lucia, Dominica, St. Kitts, Anguilla and St. Maarten normal; Antigua moderately dry; St. Croix abnormally dry; and Guyana normal. Puerto Rico was abnormally dry while the Dominica Republic ranged from very wet in the west to normal in the east. Jamaica was severely dry in the west and moderately dry in the east, while Cayman Islands was normal. Cuba was predominantly normal, apart from the extreme east that was abnormal to moderately wet and the extreme north that was abnormally wet. Apart from the south that was abnormally wet, Belize was predominantly moderately wet.

August 2013 to October 2013

Diverse conditions were experienced across the eastern Caribbean and Guyana for the three month period. Trinidad, St. Vincent, St. Lucia, Dominica, Anguilla and St. Croix were normal; Tobago and Barbados moderately wet; Grenada extremely dry; Antigua, St. Kitts and St. Maarten moderately dry; and Guyana from normal in the west to moderately wet in the east. Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic and the Cayman Islands were normal. Conditions in Jamaica ranged from moderately dry in the west to normal in the east. Western Cuba was normal to moderately wet, eastern Cuba normal to severely dry, and central Cuba normal. Conditions in Belize ranged from abnormal to moderately wet.

May 2013 to October 2013

For the six month period, the eastern Caribbean and Guyana experienced diverse conditions. Trinidad was abnormal to moderately wet; Tobago, St. Vincent, St. Lucia, Antigua, Anguilla, St. Maarten, and St. Croix normal; Grenada extremely dry; Barbados moderately wet; Dominica abnormally wet; and Guyana normal in the west to very wet in the east. Puerto Rico was exceptionally wet while conditions in the Dominican Republic ranged from normal in the west to extremely wet in the east. Rainfall in Jamaica ranged from severely dry in the west to normal in the east, while the Cayman Islands was normal. Western Cuba was normal to moderately wet, eastern Cuba normal to exceptionally dry, and central Cuba normal. Conditions in Belize ranged from normal in the south to extremely wet in the north.

November 2012 to October 2013

As like the other periods, diverse conditions were experienced in the eastern Caribbean and Guyana. Trinidad was moderately dry; Tobago, Barbados and Dominica abnormally wet; Grenada severely dry; St. Vincent, Antigua, St. Croix and Anguilla normal; St. Lucia normal to abnormally wet; St. Kitts and St. Maarten moderately dry; and apart from the northern portion of the country that was abnormally wet, Guyana was normal. Puerto Rico was very to extremely wet, while the Dominican Republic ranged from moderately dry in the southwest to moderately wet in the east. Rainfall in Jamaica ranged from moderately dry in the west to normal in the east. Cayman Islands was moderately dry. In Cuba, rainfall in the eastern half ranged from normal to exceptionally dry in the extreme east, while the west was predominantly normal with some of above and below normal areas. Conditions in Belize ranged from abnormally dry in the south to abnormally wet in the north.

SPI Monitor September 2013

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Disclaimer

The information contained herein is provided with the understanding that The Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology makes no warranties, either expressed or implied, concerning the accuracy, completeness, reliability, or suitability of the Outlook. The information may be used freely by the public with appropriate acknowledgement of its source, but shall not be modified in content and then presented as original material.

*Please note that from the December 2012 issue, information on any potential hot-spots or areas of concern will be added at the end of the discussion*

 

Discussion

September 2013

Normal to below normal conditions existed in the islands of the eastern Caribbean for September. Trinidad, Tobago, Barbados, Dominica, Antigua and St. Croix were normal; Grenada, St. Kitts, St. Maarten and Anguilla moderately dry; St. Vincent and St. Lucia abnormally dry. Guyana was normal in the west and abnormally wet in the east. Puerto Rico was abnormal to moderately wet, while the Dominican Republic ranged from moderately dry in the northwest to normal in the east. Jamaica was normal but Cayman Islands were moderately dry. Normal conditions dominated the Cuban landscape apart from in the extreme east and central areas that were abnormally dry and in the west that was abnormally wet. Apart from the extreme west that was abnormally wet, Belize rainfall was normal.

July 2013 to September 2013

Normal to below normal rainfall was experienced in the islands of the eastern Caribbean for the three month period. Trinidad, Tobago, Antigua and St. Maarten were moderately dry; Grenada and St. Vincent exceptionally dry; Barbados, St. Lucia, Dominica and St. Croix normal; and St. Kitts and Anguilla abnormally dry. Conditions in Guyana ranged from normal in the west to extremely wet in the east. Puerto Rico was exceptionally wet, but the Dominican Republic ranged from moderately dry in the extreme southwest to normal in the east. Jamaica was normal in the west and abnormally wet in the east, while the Cayman Islands were normal. The western portion of Cuba was normal to exceptionally wet, while the eastern portion ranged from abnormally wet to moderately dry. Conditions in Belize ranged from moderately dry in the south to moderately wet in the north.

April 2013 to September 2013

For the six month period, conditions were mixed across the eastern Caribbean and Guyana. Trinidad and St. Lucia were moderately wet; Tobago, St. Vincent, St. Kitts, St. Maarten and Anguilla normal; Grenada moderately dry; Barbados very wet; Dominica extremely wet; Antigua and St. Croix abnormally wet; and Guyana ranging from normal in the west to moderately wet in the east. Puerto Rico was exceptionally wet while totals in the Dominican Republic ranged from extremely dry in the southwest to very wet in the east. Jamaica and Cayman Islands were normal, while conditions in Cuba ranged from very wet in the west to exceptionally dry in the east. Rainfall in Belize ranged from moderately dry in the south to very wet in the north.

October 2012 to September 2013

Conditions in the eastern Caribbean and Guyana were mixed. Trinidad was normal to abnormally wet; Tobago, Barbados, St. Kitts, Anguilla and St. Croix normal; Grenada exceptionally dry, St. Vincent and St. Maarten abnormally dry; Dominica and Antigua abnormally wet; and Guyana abnormally wet in the northern extreme and normal elsewhere. Puerto Rico was extremely wet, while the Dominican Republic ranged from moderately dry in the southwest to very wet in the east. Jamaica was predominantly normal, but Cayman Islands were moderately dry. Rainfall in Cuba ranged from abnormally wet in the west central areas to severely dry in the east, while conditions in Belize ranged from moderately dry in the south to abnormally wet in the north.

SPI Monitor August 2013

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Disclaimer

The information contained herein is provided with the understanding that The Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology makes no warranties, either expressed or implied, concerning the accuracy, completeness, reliability, or suitability of the Outlook. The information may be used freely by the public with appropriate acknowledgement of its source, but shall not be modified in content and then presented as original material.

*Please note that from the December 2012 issue, information on any potential hot-spots or areas of concern will be added at the end of the discussion*

 

Discussion

August 2013

Mixed conditions were experienced in the eastern Caribbean islands. Trinidad and Antigua were moderately dry; Tobago, St. Vincent, Dominica, Anguilla and St. Maarten normal; Grenada exceptionally dry; Barbados very wet; St. Lucia moderately wet; St. Kitts abnormally dry and St. Croix abnormally wet. In Guyana the west was normal, but the east was abnormal to moderately wet. Puerto Rico was moderately wet, but the Dominican Republic was abnormally dry in the far west and normal in the remainder of the country. Jamaica was abnormally wet in the west and moderately wet in the east, while Cayman Islands was very wet. Conditions in Cuba ranged from extremely wet in the west to moderately dry in the east. Belize ranged from abnormally dry in the south to extremely wet in the north.

June 2013 to August 2013

As was for August, the three month period resulted in varied conditions in the eastern Caribbean islands. Trinidad, St. Kitts, Anguilla and St. Maarten were normal; Tobago and St. Vincent moderately dry; Grenada exceptionally dry; Barbados normal to abnormally wet; St. Lucia moderately wet; Dominica and St. Croix abnormally wet; and Antigua abnormally dry. The western portions of Guyana were normal and the east ranged from abnormal to very wet. Puerto Rico was exceptionally wet, while conditions in the Dominican Republic for the most part ranged from moderately dry on the southwest to moderately wet in the east. Conditions in Jamaica ranged from abnormally dry in the west to abnormally wet in the east, but Cayman Islands was abnormally wet. Cuba ranged from very wet in the west to severely dry in the east, while Belize ranged from abnormally dry in the south to very wet in the north.

March 2013 to August 2013

Apart from Grenada that was moderately dry, the eastern Caribbean and Guyana were normal to above normal. Trinidad was abnormal to moderately wet; Tobago, St. Vincent, St. Kitts and St. Maarten normal; Barbados moderate to extremely wet. St. Lucia abnormal to moderately wet; Dominica extremely wet; Antigua moderately wet; St. Croix abnormally wet; and Guyana ranged from normal in the west to moderately wet in the east. Puerto Rico was exceptionally wet whilst the Dominican Republic ranged from extremely dry in the southwest to extremely wet in the west. Conditions in Jamaica ranged from abnormally dry in the west to abnormally wet in the east, while Cayman Islands was abnormally wet. Conditions in Cuba ranged from very wet in the west to exceptionally dry in the east, while those in Belize were from abnormally dry in the south to moderately wet in the north.

September 2012 to August 2013

Diversity in conditions were realized for the twelve month period in the eastern Caribbean and Guyana. Trinidad, Tobago, Barbados, Dominica, Antigua and St. Kitts were normal; Grenada exceptionally dry; St. Vincent, Anguilla, St. Maarten and St. Croix abnormally dry; St. Lucia abnormally wet; and Guyana abnormally wet in the extreme north and predominantly normal in the remainder of the country. Puerto Rico ranged from moderate to extremely wet, while the Dominican Republic ranged from moderately dry in the southwest to very wet in the east. Conditions in Jamaica ranged from abnormally dry in the west to abnormally wet in the east, while Cayman Islands was moderately dry. Conditions in Cuba ranged from abnormally wet in the west to severely dry in the east, while in Belize from moderately dry in the south to normal in the north.

SPI Monitor July 2013

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Disclaimer

The information contained herein is provided with the understanding that The Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology makes no warranties, either expressed or implied, concerning the accuracy, completeness, reliability, or suitability of the Outlook. The information may be used freely by the public with appropriate acknowledgement of its source, but shall not be modified in content and then presented as original material.

*Please note that from the December 2012 issue, information on any potential hot-spots or areas of concern will be added at the end of the discussion*

 

Discussion

July 2013

During July, there was a major influence from dry Saharan air. Conditions in the southern portion of the eastern Caribbean were predominantly dry, while they were mixed in the remainder. Trinidad, Antigua and St. Croix were abnormally dry; Tobago severely dry; Grenada extremely dry; Barbados moderately dry; St Vincent exceptionally dry; St Lucia, St. Kitts and Anguilla normal; Dominica and St. Maarten abnormally wet. Conditions in Guyana ranged from normal in the north to extremely wet in the east. Puerto Rico was exceptionally wet, but the Dominican Republic was normal to abnormally wet. Jamaica was normal in the west to moderately wet in the East, while Cayman Islands was normal. Conditions in Cuba were diverse, being above normal in the west, normal in east central area and below normal in the east. Belize ranged from moderately dry in the south and west to abnormally wet in the north.

May 2013 to July 2013

In the three month period, apart from Grenada and Tobago that were abnormally dry, the eastern Caribbean and Guyana were normal to above normal. Trinidad, St. Maarten and St. Croix were abnormally wet; Barbados, St. Vincent, St. Lucia and St. Kitts normal; Dominica, Antigua and Anguilla moderately wet; and Guyana abnormal to moderately wet. Puerto Rico was exceptionally wet, but conditions in the Dominican Republic ranged from abnormally dry in the southwest to exceptionally wet in the east. Jamaica ranged from moderately dry in the west to abnormally wet in the east. Cayman Islands was normal. In Cuba the west was normal to abnormally wet, while the east was normal to exceptionally dry. Southern Belize was normal to abnormally dry while the north was abnormal to moderately wet.

February 2013 to July 2013

In the six month period, the eastern Caribbean and Guyana were normal to above normal. Trinidad and Antigua were normal; Tobago, Grenada, St. Vincent, St. Kitts, Anguilla, St. Maarten and St. Croix normal; Barbados and St. Lucia abnormally wet; Dominica extremely wet; Antigua moderately wet; and Guyana abnormally wet in the west and normal in the east. Puerto Rico was exceptionally wet, but the Dominican Republic ranged from severely dry in the south west to extremely wet in the east. Jamaica was abnormally dry in the west and normal in the east. Cayman Islands was normal. Most of Cuba was normal, but the eastern portions ranged from abnormal to extremely dry and the western portions normal to abnormally wet. Conditions in Belize ranged from abnormally dry in the south to abnormally wet in the north.

August 2012 to July 2013

Conditions in the eastern Caribbean and Guyana were mixed. Trinidad, Tobago, Barbados, St. Vincent, Dominica, Antigua and St. Kitts were normal; Grenada severely dry; Anguilla abnormally dry; St. Lucia abnormally wet; St. Maarten and St. Croix moderately dry; and Guyana abnormally wet in the extreme north and normal elsewhere. Puerto Rico was extremely wet, but conditions in the Dominican Republic ranged from normal in the west to extremely wet in the east. Conditions in Jamaica ranged from moderately dry in the west to abnormally wet in the west. Cayman Islands was moderately dry. The western half of Cuba was normal while the eastern half was predominantly abnormally dry. Belize was moderately dry in the south and abnormally dry in the north.

SPI Monitor June 2013

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Disclaimer

The information contained herein is provided with the understanding that The Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology makes no warranties, either expressed or implied, concerning the accuracy, completeness, reliability, or suitability of the Outlook. The information may be used freely by the public with appropriate acknowledgement of its source, but shall not be modified in content and then presented as original material.

*Please note that from the December 2012 issue, information on any potential hot-spots or areas of concern will be added at the end of the discussion*

 

Discussion

June 2013

Conditions in the eastern Caribbean were predominantly normal to above normal. Trinidad, St. Lucia and Dominica were moderately wet; Tobago, Grenada, Barbados, St. Vincent, St. Kitts, Anguilla and Guyana normal; Antigua abnormally wet; and St. Croix very wet. Puerto Rico was extremely to exceptionally wet, while conditions in the Dominican Republic ranged from normal in the west to moderately wet in the east. Jamaica ranged from moderately dry in the west to normal in the east. Western and Central Cuba were normal while the east was abnormal to moderately dry. Cayman Islands was normal, while Belize ranged from normal in the south to moderately wet in the north.

April 2013 to June 2013

The eastern Caribbean and Guyana were normal to above normal for the three month period. Trinidad, St. Lucia and Antigua were very wet; Tobago, Grenada, St. Vincent and Anguilla moderately dry; Barbados extremely wet; Dominica exceptionally wet; St. Kitts normal; St. Croix abnormally wet; and Guyana ranging from moderately wet in the northwest to normal in the east. Puerto Rico was very to extremely wet, while conditions in the Dominican Republic ranged from severely dry in the southwest to extremely wet in the east. Jamaica, Cayman Islands and Cuba were predominantly normal. Belize was normal in the south and abnormally wet in the north.

January 2013 to June 2013

For the six month period, the eastern Caribbean and Guyana were normal to above normal. Trinidad was moderate to very wet; Tobago, Grenada and St. Lucia abnormally wet; Barbados and St. Vincent moderately wet; Dominica extremely wet; Antigua very wet; and Anguilla, St. Croix and Guyana normal. Puerto Rico was very to extremely wet, while conditions in the Dominican Republic ranged from extremely dry in the south west to extremely wet in the east. Jamaica was abnormally dry in the west and normal in the east, while Cayman Islands was normal. Western Cuba was generally abnormal to moderately dry while the east was normal to severely dry. Apart from western portions that were abnormally wet, Belize was normal.

July 2012 to June 2013

Apart from St. Lucia that was abnormally wet and Grenada and St.Croix that were moderately dry, the eastern Caribbean was predominantly normal. Trinidad, Tobago, Barbados, St. Vincent, Dominica, Antigua, St. Kitts, and Anguilla were normal. Guyana was abnormally wet in the north and normal elsewhere. Puerto Rico was moderately dry. Conditions in the Dominican Republic ranged from normal in the west to extremely wet in the east, while those in Jamaica ranged from moderately dry in the west to abnormally wet in the east. Cuba was abnormal to moderately dry. Cayman Islands was severely dry while Belize was moderately dry.

SPI Monitor May 2013

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Disclaimer

The information contained herein is provided with the understanding that The Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology makes no warranties, either expressed or implied, concerning the accuracy, completeness, reliability, or suitability of the Outlook. The information may be used freely by the public with appropriate acknowledgement of its source, but shall not be modified in content and then presented as original material.

*Please note that from the December 2012 issue, information on any potential hot-spots or areas of concern will be added at the end of the discussion*

 

Discussion

May 2013

Normal to above normal rainfall was experienced in the eastern Caribbean and Guyana. Trinidad was abnormal to moderately wet; Tobago, St. Lucia and Dominica normal; Grenada, Barbados and St. Vincent moderately wet; Antigua very wet; Anguilla extremely wet; St. Croix abnormally wet; and Guyana moderately wet in the west and abnormally wet in the east. Puerto Rico was extremely wet while the Dominican Republic ranged from normal in the west to extremely wet in the east. Conditions in Jamaica ranged from normal in the west to moderately wet in the east, while Cayman Islands was normal. Apart from central areas that were abnormal to moderately dry, Cuba was normal to abnormally wet. Belize was abnormally wet in central areas and normal in southern and northern extremes.

March 2013 to May 2013

The eastern Caribbean and Guyana were normal to above normal for the three month period. Trinidad was very wet; Tobago, Grenada, St. Vincent and Anguilla moderately wet; Barbados and Antigua extremely wet; St. Lucia abnormally wet; Dominica exceptionally wet; St. Kitts and St. Croix normal; and Guyana ranging from moderately wet in the northwest to normal in the east. Puerto Rico was moderate to very wet, while conditions in the Dominican Republic ranged from severely dry in the southwest to very wet in the northeast. Jamaica was normal in the west and abnormally wet in the east, while, apart from the very central areas of Cuba that were abnormal to moderately dry, and another just east of central that was abnormally wet, Cuba was normal. Belize and Cayman Islands were normal.

December 2012 to July 2013

The eastern Caribbean and Guyana were normal to above normal during the period. Trinidad, Grenada, Dominica and Antigua were moderately wet; Tobago and Barbados very wet; St. Vincent and St. Lucia abnormally wet; St. Kitts, Anguilla and St. Croix normal; and Guyana abnormally wet in the extreme north and normal elsewhere. Puerto Rico was abnormal to moderately wet, while the Dominican Republic ranged from extremely dry in the south west to moderately wet in the east. Jamaica and Cayman Islands were predominantly normal. The eastern half of Cuba was normal, but the western portion was normal to moderately dry. Belize was normal in the west and abnormally dry in the east.

June 2012 to May 2013

For the twelve month period, even though the eastern Caribbean and Guyana were predominantly normal, patches of above and below normal were experienced. Trinidad was abnormally wet; Tobago, Barbados, St. Lucia, Dominica, Antigua, St. Kitts and Anguilla were normal; Grenada and St. Croix severely dry; and Guyana normal, apart from the extreme north that was abnormally wet. Puerto Rico was normal, while the Dominican Republic was normal in the west to moderately wet in the east. Conditions in Jamaica ranged from abnormally dry in the west to abnormally wet in the east. Cuba was predominantly normal, but Cayman Islands was extremely dry. Apart from the northern extreme that was abnormally dry, Belize was moderately dry.

SPI Monitor April 2013

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Disclaimer

The information contained herein is provided with the understanding that The Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology makes no warranties, either expressed or implied, concerning the accuracy, completeness, reliability, or suitability of the Outlook. The information may be used freely by the public with appropriate acknowledgement of its source, but shall not be modified in content and then presented as original material.

*Please note that from the December 2012 issue, information on any potential hot-spots or areas of concern will be added at the end of the discussion*

 

Discussion

April 2013

Most of the eastern Caribbean and Guyana, apart from the extreme northern leeward islands, experienced normal to above normal rainfall. Trinidad and St. Vincent were extremely wet; Tobago, Barbados and Dominica exceptionally wet; St. Lucia very wet; Antigua moderately wet; St. Kitts normal; Guyana normal to moderately wet from south to north; and Anguilla and St. Croix abnormally dry. Puerto Rico, Cuba and Cayman Islands were predominantly normal, but the Dominican Republic ranged from moderately dry in the southwest to normal in the north and east. Apart from the north-western region that was abnormally wet, Jamaica was normal. Central regions of Belize were severely dry and the remainder moderate dry, apart from the extreme south that was abnormally dry.

February 2013 to April 2013

Apart from the extreme northern Leeward Islands, the eastern Caribbean islands and Guyana were normal to above normal for the three month period. Trinidad, Tobago, St. Lucia and Antigua were moderately wet; Grenada and St. Kitts normal; Barbados very wet; Dominica exceptionally wet; Anguilla moderately dry and St. Croix abnormally dry. Puerto Rico, Jamaica and Cayman Islands were normal, but conditions in the Dominican Republic ranged from severely dry in the southwest to normal in the east. Eastern and western regions of Cuba were normal, but rainfall in central regions was abnormal to moderately dry. Rainfall in Belize ranged from severely dry in the east to abnormally dry in the south.

November 2012 to April 2013

For the six month period, apart from the northern Leeward Islands that were below normal, the eastern Caribbean and Guyana were normal to above normal. Trinidad was abnormal to moderately wet; Tobago moderately wet; Guyana, Grenada, Barbados, St. Vincent and Antigua normal; St. Lucia abnormally wet; St. Kitts and St. Croix very dry; Anguilla moderately dry. Conditions in Puerto Rico were normal to abnormally dry, while ranging from moderately dry in the west to normal in the east in the Dominican Republic. Jamaica was abnormally dry in the west and moderately dry in the east, while conditions in Cuba ranged from severely dry in west-central areas to abnormally dry in the western and eastern extremes. Cayman Islands was extremely dry, while conditions in Belize ranged from abnormally dry in the south to severely dry in the north.

May 2012 to April 2013

Conditions in the eastern Caribbean and Guyana were diverse for the twelve month period. Trinidad was abnormal to moderately wet; Tobago, Barbados and St. Lucia abnormally wet; Grenada moderately dry; St. Vincent, Dominica, Antigua, St. Kitts, and Anguilla normal; St. Croix extremely dry; and Guyana abnormally dry to normal. Puerto Rico was normal to abnormally dry, but the Dominican Republic normal. Jamaica was below normal in the extreme west and normal elsewhere. Apart from portions of the west and eastern areas that were abnormally dry, Cuba was normal. Cayman Islands was abnormally dry, while conditions in Belize ranged from moderately dry in the west to normal in the north.

SPI Monitor March 2013

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Disclaimer

The information contained herein is provided with the understanding that The Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology makes no warranties, either expressed or implied, concerning the accuracy, completeness, reliability, or suitability of the Outlook. The information may be used freely by the public with appropriate acknowledgement of its source, but shall not be modified in content and then presented as original material.

*Please note that from the December 2012 issue, information on any potential hot-spots or areas of concern will be added at the end of the discussion*

 

Discussion

March 2013

During March, there was a distinct difference between the normal to above normal north and the normal to below normal south in the eastern Caribbean and Guyana. Trinidad, St. Vincent, St Lucia, St. Kitts and Anguilla were normal; Tobago moderately dry; Grenada and Barbados extremely dry; Dominica abnormally dry; Antigua extremely wet; St. Croix moderately wet and Guyana normal in the west to moderately dry in the east. Puerto Rico was normal and Dominican Republic predominantly normal apart from the extreme west that was abnormally dry. Jamaica was normal in the west and abnormally wet in the east, but Cayman Islands normal. Central areas of Cuba were abnormal to moderately dry, while the west was normal to abnormally wet and the east normal. Conditions in Belize range from abnormally wet in the south to extremely dry in the north.

January 2013 to March 2013

Apart from Antigua that was abnormally wet, the calendar year thus far in the eastern Caribbean and Guyana has manifested a normal to below normal dry season. Trinidad, Tobago, Grenada, St. Vincent and St. Lucia were normal; Barbados severely dry; Dominica extremely dry; St. Kitts, Anguilla and St. Croix abnormally dry; and Guyana normal in the west to moderately dry in the east. Puerto Rico was normal to abnormally dry while the Dominica Republic ranged from moderately dry in the west to normal in the east. Jamaica was normal but Cayman Islands abnormally dry. Western and eastern areas were normal in Cuba, while the central areas ranged from abnormal to severely dry. Conditions in Belize ranged from abnormally wet in the south to abnormally dry in the north.

October 2012 to March 2013

For the six month period, apart from St. Kitts that was abnormally wet, the eastern Caribbean and Guyana were normal to below normal. Trinidad, Tobago, St. Lucia, Antigua and Anguilla were normal; Grenada moderately dry; Barbados, Dominica and St. Croix severely dry; and Guyana, apart from its eastern extremes that were abnormally dry, was normal. Puerto Rico was abnormally dry but the Dominican Republic abnormal to moderately wet. Jamaica was normal but the Cayman Islands extremely dry. The western half of Cuba was moderate to severely dry, while the eastern portion was abnormal to exceptionally dry. Conditions in Belize were moderately dry in the south and abnormally dry in the north.

April 2012 to March 2013

Conditions in the eastern Caribbean and Guyana were diverse for the twelve month period. Trinidad, Tobago and St. Kitts were abnormally wet; Grenada and St. Vincent abnormally dry; Barbados, St. Lucia, Antigua and Anguilla normal; Dominica and St. Croix severely dry; and Guyana normal in the west and abnormally dry in the east. Puerto Rico was predominantly normal but the Dominican Republic abnormal to moderately wet. Jamaica was normal in the west and abnormally wet in the east, while Cayman Islands was normal. Cuba was predominantly normal apart from some central areas that were abnormally wet. Conditions in Belize range from moderately dry in the west and south to abnormally wet in the north.

Note:

NOTE:Concerns over drought conditions have been lessened in some islands, particularly those in the extreme north of the eastern chain. Concern remains in the central portion of the chain, particularly around Grenada, Barbados and Dominica; and in the vicinity of Cuba in the west. There is much optimism, however, that conditions will improve as they have been since late March in the eastern Caribbean and particularly so by the end of April.

SPI Monitor February 2013

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Disclaimer

The information contained herein is provided with the understanding that The Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology makes no warranties, either expressed or implied, concerning the accuracy, completeness, reliability, or suitability of the Outlook. The information may be used freely by the public with appropriate acknowledgement of its source, but shall not be modified in content and then presented as original material.

*Please note that from the December 2012 issue, information on any potential hot-spots or areas of concern will be added at the end of the discussion*

 

Discussion

February 2013

Conditions in the eastern Caribbean and Guyana were normal to below normal. Trinidad was severely dry; Tobago abnormally dry; Grenada, St. Lucia and Guyana normal; Barbados, St. Vincent, St. Kitts, Anguilla and St. Croix moderately dry; Dominica extremely dry; and Antigua exceptionally dry. Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic were predominantly normal. Jamaica was normal in the west and abnormally dry in the east. Conditions in Cuba ranged from extremely dry in west-central areas to moderately dry in the extreme west and east. The Cayman Islands and Belize were normal.

December 2012 to February 2013

For the three month period, there was a distinction between the normal to above normal south and normal to below normal north. Trinidad and St. Lucia were abnormally wet; Tobago and Grenada moderately wet; Barbados, St. Vincent and Guyana normal; Dominica and St. Kitts moderately dry; and Anguilla, Antigua and St. Croix severely dry. Puerto Rico was normal, but the Dominican Republic was predominantly moderately dry, except for the eastern extremity that was abnormally dry. Apart from the western extremity that was abnormally dry, Jamaica was moderately dry. Conditions in Cuba varied from above to severely dry in the west to normal to abnormally dry in the east. Cayman Islands and the southern extremity of Belize were abnormally dry while the remainder of Belize was normal.

September 2012 to February 2013

Conditions in the eastern Caribbean and Guyana were normal to below normal for the six month period. Trinidad, Tobago, St. Lucia, St. Kitts and Guyana were normal; Grenada and Barbados severely dry; St. Vincent and Anguilla moderately dry; Dominica exceptionally dry; Antigua abnormally dry; and St. Croix extremely dry. Puerto Rico was moderately dry but the Dominican Republic normal. Conditions in Jamaica ranged from abnormally dry in the west to abnormally wet in the east. Cuba ranged from moderately dry in the north to extremely dry in the west and east-central areas. Cayman Islands was exceptionally dry while Belize was predominantly moderately dry apart from its northern and southern extremities that were severely dry.

March 2012 to February 2013

Diverse conditions prevailed in the eastern Caribbean and Guyana for the twelve month period. Trinidad and Tobago were moderately wet; Grenada, Barbados, St. Lucia, Antigua and Anguilla normal; Dominica and St. Croix severely dry; St. Kitts abnormally wet; and Guyana normal in the west and abnormally dry in the east. Puerto Rico was normal while the Dominican Republic was predominantly moderately wet apart from south-western areas that were very wet. Jamaica was normal in the west and abnormally wet in the east. Cuba was predominantly normal apart from areas in the south west that were below normal and in the very north that were above normal. Cayman Islands was normal, but Belize ranged from moderately dry in the west to moderately wet in the north.

Note:

Interest in the western Caribbean, more specifically Belize, Cayman Islands, Cuba and Jamaica, should pay particular attention to water availability and monitor water resources as predominantly dry conditions prevailed in many areas of this part of the basin over the past few months and is likely to persist during March into April. The concern over severely dry conditions in the northern portion of the eastern Caribbean has intensified, and in fact has expanded its geographical area further south, and all the way to Grenada. Interests in these areas should take precautions against severely low water levels. Some countries may have to issue drought and water watches or alerts if conditions continue to persist during March as expected.

SPI Monitor January 2013

/in , /by

Disclaimer

The information contained herein is provided with the understanding that The Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology makes no warranties, either expressed or implied, concerning the accuracy, completeness, reliability, or suitability of the Outlook. The information may be used freely by the public with appropriate acknowledgement of its source, but shall not be modified in content and then presented as original material.

*Please note that from the December 2012 issue, information on any potential hot-spots or areas of concern will be added at the end of the discussion*

Discussion

January 2013

Diverse rainfall conditions were experienced in the eastern Caribbean and Guyana during the month. Trinidad, Tobago, Grenada and St. Vincent were abnormally wet; Barbados, St. Lucia, Antigua and St. Kitts normal; Dominica, Anguilla and St. Croix moderately dry; and Guyana ranged from normal in the west to moderately dry in the east. Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica and Cayman Islands were moderately dry. Western Cuba ranged from normal to moderately dry while eastern areas were normal to abnormally wet .Conditions in Belize ranged from moderately wet in the west to normal to the north and south.

November 2012 to January 2013

In the eastern Caribbean and Guyana, there was a general distinction between the normal to above normal north and normal to below normal north, for the three month period. Trinidad and St. Lucia were abnormally wet; Tobago moderately wet; Grenada normal; Barbados abnormally dry; Dominica, Antigua and St. Kitts severely dry; Anguilla and St. Croix moderately dry; and Guyana normal apart from the extreme north. Puerto Rico was abnormally dry, but the Dominican Republic was normal. Jamaica was abnormally dry in the west and moderately dry in the east, while Cayman Islands was extremely dry. Conditions in Cuba ranged from abnormal to extremely dry, with the west being the driest region in the country. Belize was moderately dry.

August 2012 to January 2013

For the six month period, conditions in the eastern Caribbean and Guyana were very diverse. Trinidad, St. Lucia and St. Kitts were normal; Barbados, St. Vincent and Antigua abnormally dry; Anguilla moderately dry; Grenada and St. Croix severely dry; Dominica extremely dry; and Guyana normal in the north and abnormally dry further south. Puerto Rico was abnormal to moderately wet but the Dominican Republic moderately wet in central areas to normal in the east. Conditions in Jamaica ranged from abnormally dry in the west to moderately wet in the east, while Cayman Islands was moderately dry. Belize was moderately dry in the west and severely dry in the east.

February 2012 to January 2013

In the eastern Caribbean and Guyana Trinidad was moderately wet; Tobago very wet; St. Kitts moderately wet; Grenada, Barbados, St. Vincent, St. Lucia, Antigua and Anguilla normal; Dominica moderately dry; St. Croix severely dry; and Guyana normal except for the extreme north. Puerto Rico was normal. Conditions in the Dominican Republic ranged from moderately wet to very wet in central areas, but in Jamaica the range was from abnormally dry in the west to abnormally wet in the east. The majority of Cuba was normal to abnormally dry, but reached extreme dryness in eastern Cuba. Cayman Islands was normal, but conditions in Belize ranged from moderately dry in the west to abnormally wet in the north.

Note:

Interest in the western Caribbean should pay particular attention to water availability and monitor water resources as predominantly dry conditions prevailed in many areas of this part of the basin over the past few months. This is made even more important as normal to below normal dry season rainfall are predicted for the next three months. The northern portion of the eastern Caribbean should take similar precautions, even though normal to above normal conditions are expected during January to March 2013. More specifically therefore, Belize, Cayman Islands, Cuba and Jamaica in the west and from Dominica northward to St. Croix should take precaution.