Although a below-average hurricane season is anticipated this year, Climate Services Manager at the Meteorological Service of Jamaica, Jacqueline Spence-Hemmings, is emphasising that there is no room for complacency.

“We don’t say below normal to say get complacent. If [Hurricane] Melissa has taught us anything, it is that we only need one [to remind us of the importance of preparedness],” she stated during the National Disaster Risk Management Council Meeting at the Office of the Prime Minister on Wednesday.

Spence-Hemmings’ remarks followed her disclosure that there is a 55 per cent likelihood of below-normal activity for the 2026 hurricane season, which runs from June 1 to November 30.