Barbados is still in drought conditions despite the official start of the wet (hurricane) season, with rainfall patterns continuing to fall short of what is typically expected at this time of year, according to the Barbados Meteorological Services (BMS).

The BMS said it is actively monitoring both current and projected conditions, noting that while tropical waves have passed over the island in recent weeks, they have provided only brief and limited relief to ongoing dry conditions.

Rainfall to the end of May stood at 278.4 millimetres at Charnocks, just below the 30-year average of 280.9 millimetres. However, much of that total was recorded in short bursts during January and March, when rainfall temporarily surged above normal levels before dry conditions resumed.