Jamaicans to brace for rain after weeks of drought

Jamaicans are to expect rain starting on Wednesday into Thursday after being affected by drought conditions.

The Meteorological Service of Jamaica said on Tuesday that a cold front and its pre-frontal trough now across the north-western Caribbean is producing an area of cloudiness, showers, and isolated thunderstorms.

It said that the system is expected to bring unstable weather conditions across the country.

On Wednesday,  mostly cloudy conditions are expected with scattered afternoon and evening showers across most parishes and thunderstorms mainly across northern parishes.

The Met Service said that the forecast for Thursday is for mostly cloudy conditions with afternoon and evening showers mainly across southern and north-eastern parishes.

Windy conditions with slightly cooler-than-normal temperatures are also expected mainly across northern parishes.

Met Service urges fishers and other marine interests, especially those inshore and offshore the north coast, to exercise caution as sea conditions will deteriorate due to thunderstorms and strong gusty winds. The Meteorological Service said it would continue to monitor the system.

Residents in the Corporate Area are among those who will be impacted by the weather conditions.

Due to the island’s drought, several communities have had to contend with water lock-offs in recent weeks.

In February, it was reported that the National Water Commission (NWC) continued to decline in inflows to surface water sources across the island due to the effects of drought conditions.

This has forced the disruption of water supply to a wide number of areas in the Corporate Area.