Caribbean warned of possible intensification of existing drought situation

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) — The Barbados-based Caribbean Climate Outlook Forum (CariCOF) Monday said as the Caribbean transitions out of the Atlantic Hurricane Season, it will have to deal with a very strong El Niño event that could, among other things, result in a potential expansion and or intensification of drought.

In its latest Caribbean Climate Outlooks publication, covering the period November to January next year, CariCOF said also that the transition could also lead to fewer episodes of excessive heat, though unseasonably high temperatures for the cool season are very likely.

It said that there could be unusually low shower, wet spell and excessive rainfall frequency, except in the far northwest of the region; high potential for flooding, flash floods, cascading hazards and associated impacts remains across the region, with the possible exception of the ABC (Aruba, Bonnaire and Curacao) Islands and French Guiana.