Forecast issued for Dominica's wet season

The wet season will start slightly later in Dominica this year, according to forecasts.

Officially, Dominica’s wet season coincides with the Atlantic hurricane season, which runs from June to November each year.

Less rainfall than normal is expected during 2018 and a decrease in the frequency of wet days (1.0mm or more of rainfall) and wet spells (three or more consecutive wet days) is anticipated for the first half of the season.

There are no drought concerns for the island at this time for both the short term (March to August) and long term (December to November).

At least one seven-day dry spell is expected for the first half of the season.

Cooler day and night time temperatures are anticipated for the first half of the season with some uncertainties at this time for the second half. Heatwave chances are increasing towards the middle of the wet-season.

Climatologically, Dominica’s wet-season accumulates approximately 900 to 1,600mm along the western coast, 1,200 to 1,900mm along the eastern coast with higher amounts in elevated regions.

Temperatures usually range from 27ºC to 28ºC during the day with an average maximum of 30ºC to 32ºC. Night time temperatures usually fall between 24ºC to 25ºC.

This forecast was issued by the Dominica Meteorological Service in collaboration with the Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology.