Caribbean braces for continued heat in season's second half

The Caribbean is grappling with soaring temperatures that are anticipated to persist through October, especially during the peak months of August and September.

Insights from CariCOF's latest heat outlook

The Barbados-based Caribbean Climate Outlook Forum (CariCOF) shed light on this in its recent heat outlook for the period spanning August 2023 to January 2024.

CariCOF’s forecast paints a clear picture: from August to October, the latter half of the Caribbean Heat Season will experience its peak, especially in the Guianas and the Lesser Antilles, with temperatures anticipated to be higher than typical averages.

The region can brace for sustained periods of intense heat both during the day and at night, only expecting a reprieve when temperatures begin to taper off in November.

Potential risks

This sweltering heat wave poses significant risks. Among the predicted repercussions are frequent and potentially severe bouts of heat stress impacting vulnerable individuals and smaller livestock, exacerbated by a combination of escalating temperatures and surging humidity lasting through September.