SPI Monitor December 2012

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

December 2012

In the eastern Caribbean and Guyana, there was a clear distinction between the normal to above normal south and normal to below normal north. Trinidad and Barbados were abnormally wet; Tobago, Grenada, and St. Lucia moderately wet; Guyana from extremely wet in the north to normal in the east; St. Vincent and Dominica normal; Antigua and Anguilla; moderately dry; and St. Kitts and St. Croix abnormally dry. Puerto Rico was normal to abnormally wet, while the Dominican Republic was predominantly normal. Jamaica ranged from moderately dry in the west to normal in the east. Apart from the extreme east of the country that was abnormally wet, Cuba was predominantly normal; and so too was the Cayman Islands. Conditions in Belize ranged from moderately dry in the south to normal in the north.

October 2012 to December 2012

For the three month period, conditions in the eastern Caribbean and Guyana were diverse. Trinidad, St. Vincent, Antigua and Anguilla were normal; Tobago and St. Lucia abnormally wet; St. Kitts moderately wet; Grenada, Barbados, Dominica and St. Croix moderately dry; and Guyana from moderately wet in the north to normal in the south. Puerto Rico and Jamaica were normal, however conditions in the Dominican Republic were very wet in central areas and moderately wet on the outskirts. Conditions in Cuba ranged from normal to extremely dry. Cayman Islands was extremely dry, while conditions in southern Belize were moderate and the northern areas abnormally dry.

July 2012 to December 2012

As like the three month period, rainfall in the eastern Caribbean and Guyana was diverse. Trinidad and Dominica were moderately dry; Tobago normal; Grenada, St. Vincent, St. Croix severely dry; Barbados, Antigua and Anguilla abnormally dry; St. Lucia and St. Kitts abnormally wet; and apart from the northern extreme that was abnormally wet, Guyana was normal. Puerto Rico was normal but the Dominican Republic was abnormal to moderately wet. Conditions in Jamaica ranged from abnormally dry to moderately wet, but Cayman Islands was severely dry. Conditions in Cuba ranged from normal to exceptionally dry, while Belize was severely dry in south and western areas and extremely dry in northern and eastern areas.

January 2012 to December 2012

Rainfall totals in 2012 reflected diverse conditions in the eastern Caribbean and Guyana. Trinidad was moderate to very wet; Tobago extremely wet; Grenada, Barbados, St. Vincent, Antigua and Anguilla normal; St. Lucia abnormally wet; St. Kitts moderately wet; Dominica and St. Croix moderately dry; and Guyana abnormal to moderately wet. Puerto Rico was abnormally wet in the west and normal in the east, while the Dominican Republic ranged from extremely wet in the northeast to moderately wet moving out toward the ourskirts. Conditions in Jamaica ranged from abnormally dry in the west to abnormally wet in the east, while Cayman Islands was normal. The western half of Cuba was predominantly normal, but the eastern half ranged from normal to extremely dry. Conditions in Belize ranged from moderately dry in the south to moderately wet in the north.

Note:

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. During December, some relief has been experienced to the very dry conditions prevailing in the south eastern Caribbean.

SPI Monitor November 2012

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 February 2012, the SPI calculations are relative to years 1961-2010*

 

Discussion

November 2012

Rainfall in the islands of the eastern Caribbean was normal to below normal during the month. Trinidad, Tobago and St. Lucia were normal; Grenada and Barbados severely dry; St. Vincent and St. Croix abnormally dry; Dominica, Antigua and Anguilla moderately dry; and St. Kitts extremely dry. Guyana was normal to abnormally wet. Puerto Rico was moderately dry while the Dominican Republic was normal to abnormally wet. Rainfall in Jamaica was normal but in Cayman Islands it was extremely dry. Cuba ranged from moderate to extremely dry while Belize was severely dry in the south and moderately dry in the north.

September 2012 to November 2012

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

June 2012 to November 2012

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

December 2011 to November 2012

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

SPI Monitor October 2012

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 February 2012, the SPI calculations are relative to years 1961-2010*

 

Discussion

October 2012

Conditions were very diverse in the eastern Caribbean islands for October. Trinidad and Barbados were moderately dry; Grenada extremely dry; Tobago, St. Vincent, St. Lucia and Dominica normal; Antigua very wet; St. Kitts exceptionally wet; Anguilla and St. Croix abnormally dry. Conditions in Guyana ranged from exceptionally wet in the north to moderately dry in the east. Puerto Rico was normal but the Dominican Republic ranged from very to exceptionally wet. Jamaica was abnormally wet in the west and moderately wet in the east. Rainfall in Cuba ranged from normal to moderately wet. Cayman Islands was moderately wet and Belize normal.

August 2012 to October 2012

Apart from Barbados that was abnormally wet, the eastern Caribbean and Guyana were normal to below normal for the three month period. Trinidad and Grenada were moderately dry; Tobago, Dominica, St. Croix and Anguilla abnormally dry; St. Vincent extremely dry; Antigua severely dry; St. Lucia, St. Kitts and Guyana normal. Puerto Rico was normal, while the Dominican Republic was abnormally wet in the west and normal in the remainder of the country. Conditions in Jamaica ranged from moderately dry in the west to moderately wet in the east. Apart from the central region that was moderately wet, Cuba was generally normal to abnormally wet. Cayman Islands was normal. Conditions in Belize were extremely dry in the west and exceptionally dry in the east.

May 2012 to October 2012

Conditions in the eastern Caribbean islands were diverse for the six month period. Trinidad, Tobago, St. Lucia and Antigua were normal; Grenada and St. Croix moderately dry; St. Vincent, Dominica and Anguilla abnormally dry; and St. Kitts very wet. Guyana was normal to abnormally dry. Puerto Rico was normal in the west and abnormally dry in the east while the Dominican Republic was abnormally wet in the west and normal in the east. Conditions in Jamaica ranged from abnormally dry in the west to abnormally wet in the east. Cuban rainfall amounts ranged predominantly from normal to moderately wet while Cayman Islands was normal. Conditions in Belize ranged from moderately dry in the west to moderately wet in the north.

November 2011 to October 2012

For the twelve month period, apart from St. Croix that was moderately dry, rainfall in the eastern Caribbean and Guyana was normal to above normal. Trinidad was abnormal to moderately wet; Tobago very wet; Grenada, St. Vincent and Dominica normal; Barbados moderately wet; St. Lucia and Antigua abnormally wet; St. Kitts extremely wet; and Guyana moderately wet in the north to normal further to the south. Puerto Rico was moderate to abnormally wet while rainfall in the Dominica Republic ranged from moderately wet in the north to extremely wet in the south. Jamaica was predominantly normal but Cayman Islands abnormally wet. Conditions in Cuba was predominantly normal to moderately wet while Belize ranged from abnormally dry in the west to abnormally dry in the north.

SPI Monitor September 2012

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 February 2012, the SPI calculations are relative to years 1961-2010*

 

Discussion

September 2012

Apart from St. Lucia and St. Croix that were normal, the islands of the eastern Caribbean had below normal rainfall for September. Trinidad, Tobago, Grenada and St. Vincent were moderately dry; Barbados abnormally dry; Dominica exceptionally dry; and Antigua and Anguilla severely dry. Conditions in Guyana ranged from normal in the north to moderately dry in the east. Both Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic were moderate to extremely dry. Rainfall in Jamaica ranged from moderately dry in the west to moderately wet in the east. Cuba was predominantly normal to abnormally wet. Cayman Islands was normal, while Belize ranged from severely dry in the west to exceptionally dry in the east.

July 2012 to September 2012

Apart from Barbados that was abnormally wet, the eastern Caribbean and Guyana were normal to below normal for the three month period. Trinidad and Grenada were moderately dry; Tobago, Dominica, St. Croix and Anguilla abnormally dry; St. Vincent extremely dry; Antigua severely dry; St. Lucia, St. Kitts and Guyana normal. Puerto Rico was normal, while the Dominican Republic was abnormally wet in the west and normal in the remainder of the country. Conditions in Jamaica ranged from moderately dry in the west to moderately wet in the east. Apart from the central region that was moderately wet, Cuba was generally normal to abnormally wet. Cayman Islands was normal. Conditions in Belize were extremely dry in the west and exceptionally dry in the east.

April 2012 to September 2012

For the six month period, the eastern Caribbean and Guyana experienced a diverse mix of above normal to just below normal rainfall. Trinidad and Barbados were moderately wet; Tobago abnormally wet; Grenada, St. Lucia, Antigua, St. Kitts, Anguilla, and Guyana normal; St. Vincent and Dominica abnormally dry; and St. Croix moderately dry. Puerto Rico was normal, whilet the Dominica Republic normal in northwest and southeast and abnormally wet elsewhere. Jamaica was normal in the west and abnormally wet in the east, but Cayman Islands very wet. Conditions in Belize ranged from moderately dry in the west to very wet in the north.

October 2011 to September 2012

Apart from St. Croix that was abnormally dry, the eastern Caribbean and Guyana were predominantly normal to above normal for the twelve month period. Trinidad, Tobago, St. Kitts and Anguilla were moderately wet; St. Vincent, St. Lucia, Dominica and Antigua normal; Grenada abnormally wet; Barbados very wet; and Guyana ranging from very wet in the north to abnormally wet to the south and east. Puerto Rico was moderately wet in the west and abnormally wet in the east, while the Dominica Republic ranged from moderately wet in the south to normal in the north. Apart from the eastern extreme that was abnormally wet, Jamaica was predominantly normal. Conditions in Cuba ranged from normal to very wet, but Cayman Islands was very wet. Conditions in Belize ranged from abnormally dry in the west to moderately wet in the north.

SPI Monitor August 2012

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 February 2012, the SPI calculations are relative to years 1961-2010*

 

Discussion

August 2012

In the eastern Caribbean and Guyana, there is a distinction between the normal to below normal north and the normal to above normal south. Trinidad and St. Lucia were abnormally wet; Tobago moderately wet; Barbados very wet; Grenada, St. Vincent, Dominica and Anguilla normal; Antigua, St. Kitts and St. Croix abnormally dry; and, apart from the northern extremes that were abnormally wet, Guyana was normal. Both Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic were predominantly moderately wet. Conditions in Jamaica ranged from normal in the western half to moderately wet in the east. Cuba was dominated by abnormal to moderately wet conditions apart from the eastern extremes that were exceptionally wet. Cayman Islands was very wet, but conditions in Belize ranged from severely dry in the west to normal in the north.

June 2012 to August 2012

For the three month period, the rainfall over the Eastern Caribbean and Guyana was very diverse. Trinidad was moderately wet; Tobago, Barbados, St. Lucia, Dominica, St. Kitts, Anguilla and Guyana normal; Grenada and Antigua moderately dry; and St. Vincent and St. Croix severely dry. Puerto Rico was predominantly normal while the Dominican Republic ranged from moderately wet in the west to normal in the east. Jamaica was normal in the west and abnormally wet in the east while the Cayman Islands was normal. Normal to above normal conditions were experienced in Cuba while Belize ranged from moderately dry in the west to extremely wet in the north.

March  2012 to August 2012

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

September 2011 to August 2012

Apart from St. Croix that was moderately dry, the eastern Caribbean and Guyana experienced normal to above normal conditions for the twelve month period. Trinidad and Tobago were moderately wet; Grenada, St. Kitts and Anguilla very wet; Barbados extremely wet; St. Vincent and St. Lucia abnormally wet; Dominica and Antigua normal; and Guyana ranging from very wet in the west to normal in the east. Puerto Rico was abnormal to very wet while the Dominican Republic ranged from normal in the north to moderately wet in the south. Jamaica was normal, but the Cayman Islands very wet. Normal to above normal conditions prevailed in Cuba, while Belize ranged from abnormally dry in the west to moderately wet in the north.

SPI Monitor July 2012

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 February 2012, the SPI calculations are relative to years 1961-2010*

 

Discussion

July 2012

The islands of the eastern Caribbean varied from below normal (particularly in the south) to above normal (particularly in the north). Trinidad and St Croix were abnormally dry; Tobago moderately dry; St .Vincent severely dry; Grenada, Barbados, St. Lucia and Antigua normal; St. Kitts and Anguilla moderately wet, and Dominica abnormally wet. Rainfall in Guyana ranged from normal in the west to moderately wet in the east. Puerto Rico was abnormal to moderately wet while the Dominica Republic was moderate to very wet. Conditions in Jamaica ranged from abnormally dry in the west to abnormally wet in the east. Cayman Islands was moderately dry, but Cuba was predominantly normal. Conditions in Belize ranged from moderately dry in the south to normal in the north.

May 2012 to July 2012

In the eastern Caribbean and Guyana, apart from St. Croix that was abnormally dry, rainfall was normal to above normal. Trinidad, Barbados, St. Kitts and Anguilla were moderately wet, Tobago, St. Vincent, St. Lucia, Dominica and Antigua normal; and conditions in Guyana ranged from moderately wet in the west to normal in the east. Puerto Rico and The Dominican Republic were both normal. Jamaica was predominantly normal apart from the northwest that was abnormally dry. Cayman Islands was abnormally wet. Conditions in Cuba ranged from abnormally dry to moderately wet, while for Belize the range was from normal in the southwest to exceptionally wet in the north.

February 2012 to July 2012

For the six month period, apart from St. Croix that was abnormally dry, rainfall in the eastern Caribbean and Guyana was normal to above normal. Trinidad was extremely wet; Tobago very wet; Grenada, Barbados and St. Kitts moderately wet; St. Vincent and Anguilla abnormally wet; St. Lucia, Dominica and Antigua normal; and Guyana abnormally wet. Puerto Rico was predominantly moderately wet. The Dominican Republic was moderately wet in the northwest and very wet elsewhere. Jamaica was normal, but Cayman Islands was very wet. In Cuba, central areas were above normal, while eastern and western areas were predominantly normal. Belize ranged from normal in the south to very wet in the north.

August 2011 to July 2012

Conditions in the eastern Caribbean and Guyana ranged from normal to above. Trinidad, St. Lucia and Dominica were abnormally wet; Tobago and St. Croix normal; Grenada, Barbados, St. Vincent and Antigua moderately wet; St. Kitts and Anguilla extremely wet; and Guyana from very wet in the west to normal in the east. Puerto Rico was exceptionally wet for the twelve month period, while the Dominican Republic was predominantly normal, but with up to moderately wet conditions in the eastern and southern extremes. Jamaica was normal but the Cayman Islands moderately wet. Rainfall in central areas of Cuba was above normal, while the eastern and western areas were predominantly normal. Conditions in Belize ranged from normal in the south to very wet in the north.Conditions in the eastern Caribbean and Guyana ranged from normal to above. Trinidad, St. Lucia and Dominica were abnormally wet; Tobago and St. Croix normal; Grenada, Barbados, St. Vincent and Antigua moderately wet; St. Kitts and Anguilla extremely wet; and Guyana from very wet in the west to normal in the east. Puerto Rico was exceptionally wet for the twelve month period, while the Dominican Republic was predominantly normal, but with up to moderately wet conditions in the eastern and southern extremes. Jamaica was normal but the Cayman Islands moderately wet. Rainfall in central areas of Cuba was above normal, while the eastern and western areas were predominantly normal. Conditions in Belize ranged from normal in the south to very wet in the north.

SPI Monitor June 2012

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 February 2012, the SPI calculations are relative to years 1961-2010*

 

Discussion

June 2012

Apart from Trinidad that was moderate to very wet and Tobago that was normal, the islands of the eastern Caribbean experienced below normal rainfall for June. Grenada was exceptionally dry; Dominica, St. Kitts, Anguilla and St. Croix extremely dry; Barbados, St. Vincent, St. Lucia and Antigua moderately dry. Conditions in Guyana ranged from moderately wet in the west to normal in the east. Puerto Rico was exceptionally dry, but conditions in the Dominican Republic ranged from normal in the west to exceptionally dry in the east. Jamaica was abnormally wet in the west and normal in the east, while Cayman Islands was moderately dry. Normal to above normal conditions prevailed across Cuba. Rainfall in Belize ranged from normal in the west to extremely wet in the north and south.

April 2012 to June 2012

In contrast to the June rainfall, the eastern Caribbean islands were normal to above normal for the period. Trinidad was extremely wet; Tobago very wet; Barbados, St. Kitts and Anguilla moderately wet; St. Vincent, St. Lucia and Antigua abnormally wet; and St. Croix normal. Conditions in Guyana ranged from moderately wet in the northwest to normal in the east. Puerto Rico was normal and the Dominican Republic normal in the north and abnormally wet in the south. Conditions in Jamaica ranged from moderately wet in the west to normal in the east, while Cayman Islands was exceptionally wet. Conditions varied from normal to above normal in Cuba; while in Belize they ranged from normal in the west to exceptionally wet in the north.

January 2012 to June 2012

Apart from Dominica that was moderately dry, the eastern Caribbean and Guyana were normal to above normal for the six month period. Trinidad, Tobago and Grenada were exceptionally wet; Barbados very wet; St. Vincent, Anguilla and St. Kitts moderately wet; St. Lucia, Antigua and St. Croix normal; and Guyana very wet in the west to abnormally wet in the east. Puerto Rico was moderately wet in the west and abnormally wet in the east, while conditions in the Dominican Republic ranged from abnormally wet in the north to very wet in the south. Jamaica was normal but Cayman Islands exceptionally wet. Below to above normal conditions were experienced across Cuba, with dry conditions particularly experienced in the east. Rainfall in Belize ranged from abnormally wet in the south to exceptionally wet in the north for the period.

July 2011 to June 2012

For the twelve month period, the eastern Caribbean and Guyana were normal to above normal. Trinidad, St. Vincent, St. Lucia, Dominica and Antigua were moderately wet, Tobago abnormally wet; Barbados and St. Vincent very wet; St. Kitts exceptionally wet; Anguilla extremely wet; St. Croix normal; and Guyana from very wet in the west to abnormally wet in the east. Puerto Rico was exceptionally wet, but conditions in the Dominican Republic ranged from normal in the northwest to very wet in the east. Jamaica was abnormally wet in the west and normal in the east, but Cayman Islands was very wet. Normal conditions dominated the western and eastern areas of Cuba, while above normal rainfall dominated the central regions. Conditions in Belize ranged from normal in the west to exceptionally wet in the north.

SPI Monitor May 2012

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.

Discussion

May 2012

The eastern Caribbean and Guyana experienced normal to above normal rainfall for May. Trinidad, St. Vincent and St. Kitts were very wet; Tobago and Antigua moderately wet; Grenada and Barbados exceptionally wet; St. Lucia and Anguilla extremely wet; Dominca and St. Croix normal; and Guyana ranged from very wet in the northwest to normal in the east. Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic were normal. Jamaica was abnormally dry but Cayman Islands exceptionally wet. Conditions in Belize ranged from moderately wet in the south to exceptionally wet in the north; but in Cuba moderately dry to abnormally wet.

March 2012 to May 2012

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

December 2011 to May 2012

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

June 2011 to May 2012

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

SPI Monitor April 2012

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.

Discussion

April 2012

Conditions in the eastern Caribbean were normal to above normal. Trinidad and St. Kitts were moderately wet; Tobago exceptionally wet; Grenada extremely wet; St Vincent, St. Lucia and Antigua abnormally wet; Dominica, Anguilla and St. Croix normal; and Barbados abnormally dry. Guyana was normal. Puerto Rico was abnormally wet. Jamaica was extremely wet while the Cayman Islands was exceptionally wet. Conditions in Cuba ranged from moderately wet in the western and eastern extremities to extremely wet in the central areas; while those in Belize range from normal in the south to moderately wet in the north.

February 2012 to April 2012

There was a distinction in conditions in the eastern Caribbean between the largely normal north and above normal south. Trinidad was very to extremely wet; Tobago and Grenada exceptionally wet; St. Vincent extremely wet, Barbados, St. Lucia, Dominica, Antigua and St Croix normal; Anguilla moderately dry. Guyana was normal in the west and abnormally wet in the east. Puerto Rico was extremely wet. Conditions in Jamaica ranged from abnormally wet in the west to extremely wet in the east; and in Cuba from normal in the east and west to moderately wet in central areas. Cayman Islands was exceptionally wet; but Belize was normal.

November 2011 to April 2012

The six month period for the islands of the eastern Caribbean was normal to above normal. Trinidad was abnormal to moderately wet; Tobago and Anguilla extremely wet; Grenada and St. Lucia abnormally wet; Barbados, Dominica and Antigua moderately wet; St. Kitts very wet; and St. Croix normal. Conditions in Guyana ranged from extremely wet in the north to normal in the southeast. Puerto Rico ranged from very to exceptionally wet. Conditions in Cuba ranged from normal in the west and abnormally dry in the east to moderately wet in central areas. Jamaica was normal, but Cayman Islands moderately wet. Apart from the eastern extremities that were abnormally dry, Belize was normal.

May 2011 to April 2012

Rainfall conditions in the islands of the eastern Caribbean were normal to above normal. Trinidad and St. Croix were normal; Tobago abnormally wet; Grenada, Barbados and St. Lucia moderately wet; St. Vincent and Antigua very wet; and Dominica, St. Kitts and Anguilla extremely wet. Conditions in Guyana ranged from moderately wet in the north to normal in the east. Puerto Rico was exceptionally wet. Jamaica was very wet in the west and moderately wet in the east, but Cayman Islands was normal. Cuban rainfall ranged from abnormally dry to normal in the west to moderately wet in the east. Apart from the western extremities that were abnormally dry, Belize was normal.

SPI Monitor March 2012

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.

Discussion

March 2012

Except for Antigua that was moderately dry, the eastern Caribbean islands were predominantly normal to above normal during March. Tobago and Grenada were exceptionally wet; St. Croix extremely wet; St. Vincent moderately wet; Barbados, St. Lucia, Dominica, St. Kitts and Anguilla normal; and Trinidad extremely to exceptionally wet. Conditions in Guyana ranged from moderately wet in the northwest to moderately dry in the east. Puerto Rico was exceptionally wet and the Dominican Republic was very to extremely wet. Rainfall in Jamaica ranged from normal in the west to extremely wet in the east, but Cayman Islands was exceptionally wet. Belize was abnormally to moderately wet.

January 2012 to March 2012

For the three month period, the region of the eastern Caribbean and Guyana was predominantly normal to above normal except for the vicinity of Dominica, itself moderately dry. Trinidad was very wet; Tobago extremely wet; Barbados, St. Vincent and Anguilla moderately wet; St. Lucia and Antigua normal; St. Kitts and St. Croix abnormally wet; and Guyana very wet in the west and moderately wet in the east. Puerto Rico was exceptionally wet. The Dominican Republic was moderately to very wet, but conditions in Jamaica ranged from moderately dry in the west to abnormally wet in the east. Cayman Islands was abnormally wet while rainfall in Belize ranged from moderately wet in the west to normal in the east.

October 2011 to April 2012

Virtually the entire Caribbean basin was normal to above normal for the six month period. In the region of Eastern Caribbean and Guyana, Trinidad, Tobago, St. Vincent and St. Lucia were abnormally wet; Barbados, Dominica and Anguilla moderately wet; Antigua and St. Croix normal; St. Kitts very wet; and Guyana ranged from exceptionally wet in the extreme north to abnormally wet in the east. Puerto Rico was moderately to extremely wet. Apart from the extreme south that was above normal the Dominican Republic was predominantly normal. Jamaica, Cayman Islands and Belize were normal.

April 2011 to March 2012

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

SPI Monitor February 2012

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 February 2012, the SPI calculations are relative to years 1961-2010*

 

Discussion

February 2012

In the eastern Caribbean, there was a distinction between the normal to below normal north and the normal to above normal south (including Guyana). In the south, Tobago, Grenada and Barbados were moderately wet; St Lucia very wet; St. Vincent exceptionally wet; Trinidad normal to abnormally wet; and Guyana from abnormally wet in the west to exceptionally wet in the east. In the north, Anguilla was normal; Dominca and St. Kitts were abnormally dry; Antigua moderately dry; and St. Croix exceptionally dry. Puerto Rico was normal to abnormally wet and conditions in the Dominican Republic ranged from normal in the northwest to moderately wet in the east. Jamaica was moderately dry and the Cayman Islands normal. Conditions in Belize ranged from moderately dry in the south to normal in the north.

December 2011 to February 2012

In the eastern Caribbean, much of the south was above normal and the north normal to below normal. St. Vincent, St. Lucia, Antigua and St. Croix were normal; Trinidad and Grenada abnormally wet; Tobago and Barbados moderately wet; St. Kitts and Anguilla very wet; and Guyana ranged from exceptionally wet in the northeast to moderately wet in the east. Puerto Rico was moderate to very wet and conditions in the Dominican Republic ranged from very wet in the southwest to normal in the northeast. Rainfall in Jamaica ranged from normal in the west to moderately dry in the east. Cayman Islands and Belize were normal.

September 2011 to February 2012

Apart from St. Croix that was moderately dry, rainfall in the eastern Caribbean, including Guyana, was normal to above normal for the six month period. Trinidad, Tobago and Antigua were normal; Grenada, St. Vincent, St. Lucia and Dominica abnormally wet; St. Kitts and Anguilla very wet; and Guyana ranged from extremely wet in the west to abnormally wet in the east. Puerto Rico was abnormally to moderately wet; but the Dominican Republic ranged from normal in the south to abnormally dry in the north. Jamaica and the Cayman Islands were normal. Belize was predominantly normal apart from in the west that was abnormally dry.

March 2011 to February 2012

For the twelve month period, the eastern Caribbean and Guyana were normal to above normal. Trinidad, Tobago and St. Croix were normal; Grenada abnormally wet; Antigua very wet; Barbados, St. Vincent, St. Lucia, St. Kitts and Anguilla extremely wet; Dominica exceptionally wet; and Guyana ranging from very wet in the north to abnormally wet in the east. Puerto Rico was exceptionally wet, but the Dominican Republic was abnormally to moderately wet in the south and normal everywhere else. Jamaica was abnormally wet, but the Cayman Islands moderately dry. Conditions in Belize were predominantly normal with the west being moderately dry.

SPI Monitor January 2012

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.

Discussion

January 2012

The majority of the eastern Caribbean and Guyana were normal to above normal except for St. Vincent that was moderately dry and Dominica severely dry. St. Lucia was normal; Trinidad, Tobago, Antigua and St. Croix abnormally wet; Grenada and St. Kitts very wet; Anguila extremely wet; and Guyana ranged from extremely wet in the west to moderately wet in the east. Rainfall in Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic were normal. Jamaica was abnormally dry and the Cayman Islands moderately dry. Conditions in Belize ranged from normal in the south to moderately wet in the north.

November 2011 to January 2012

For the three month period, rainfall conditions in the eastern Caribbean and Guyana were normal to above normal, apart from Trinidad that was abnormally dry to normal. Tobago, Grenada, St. Vincent and St. Croix were normal; St. Lucia abnormally wet; Barbados and Dominica moderately wet; Grenada, Antigua and St. Kitts very wet; Anguilla exceptionally wet; and Guyana extremely wet in the north to normal in the south. Rainfall in Puerto Rico was abnormally to moderately wet and the Dominican Republic was moderately wet in the south west to moderately dry in the northeast. Jamaica was abnormally dry in the west and moderately dry in the east, while the Cayman islands was abnormally dry. Conditions in Belize ranged from normal in the south to moderately dry in the north.

August 2011 to January 2012

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

February 2011 to January 2012

The eastern Caribbean and Guyana were normal to above normal for the period. Trinidad, Tobago and St. Croix were normal; Antigua moderately wet; Barbados, St. Vincent, and St. Lucia very wet; Anguilla and St. Kitts extremely wet; Dominica exceptionally wet; and Guyana moderately wet in the west and abnormally wet in the east. Puerto Rico was extremely to exceptionally wet, but the Dominican Republic was predominantly normal apart from the extreme southwest that was abnormally wet. Jamaica was abnormally wet but the Cayman Islands was moderately dry. Belize was predominantly normal.