Pointing to the island’s drought outlook, she noted that according to the (CARICOF) Caribbean Climate Outlook Forum as published by the Caribbean Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology (CIMH), Barbados and the eastern Caribbean should anticipate a wetter than normal ‘dry’ season. “More rain days are anticipated,” she said, noting that the dry season usually peaks between March and April. A rain day is categorised as 1mm or more of rainfall.
Projections for 2016 were for near normal conditions with the expectation of 13 named storms, six hurricanes, and two major hurricanes. The 2016 Hurricane Season produced 15 named storms, seven hurricanes and three major hurricanes. (A major hurricane is Category 3 or above). This was marginally above the predictions.
Nurse revealed that last February, temperatures dropped to a chilly 21.8°C, the lowest minimum recorded while the highest temperature was recorded in August with a hot 31.9°C.
In addition to being vigilant and listening to meteorologists, the Deputy Director is encouraging persons living in flood-prone areas to try to mitigate the possibility of flooding by maintaining drains and other run-off facilities around the home. She also urged persons not to dump their garbage indiscriminately, which could also have implications for drainage in the event of heavy rainfall. (JH)