Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1697800555448.pdf (Dominica)
A CARIBBEAN AGRO-CLIMATIC BULLETIN OF THE CARISAM JANUARY 2018 CARIBBEAN AGRO-CLIMATIC BULLETIN OF THE CARISAM A joint bulletin of the Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI) and the Caribbe- an Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology (CIMH).

As of May 2017, the previous monthly CAMI bulletin transitions into the Caribbean Agro-Climatic Bulletin of the CariSAM.
JANUARY 2018 • VOLUME 1 • ISSUE 8 KEY MESSAGES Rainfall totals are forecast to be high enough to prevent drought from being a major concern in the Caribbean during this relatively cool dry season, with the likely ex- ception of south-eastern Haïti and central portions of Cu- ba.

Despite this interests in northern portions of the Do- minican Republic, the Leeward and Windward Islands should monitor water availability in case of short term drought.
Through January, the wet season in the Guianas is likely to be wetter than usual, with reliable rains, but also flash flood and long-term flooding concerns.

NOVEMBER IN REVIEW The islands of the eastern Caribbean received predominantly normal to below normal rainfall.
Trinidad was exceptionally dry in the west to normal in the east; Tobago; St. Vincent and Gua- deloupe normal to moderately dry; Grenada, St. Lucia and St. Maarten normal; Barbados normal to slightly dry; Martinique normal to exceptionally dry; Dominica normal to severely dry; Antigua moderate to severely dry; and St. Kitts slight to moder- ately dry.
Conditions in the Guianas ranged from exceptionally dry in western Guyana to extremely wet in northern Guyana, though Suriname and French Guiana were generally slightly dry to slightly wet.

Aruba and Curacao were normal.

Puerto Rico was moderate to very wet, while Hispaniola ranged from exceptionally wet to exceptionally dry.

In Jamaica, condi- tions ranged from slightly dry to exceptionally wet; while Grand Cayman was normal.
Conditions in Cuba ranged from slightly wet in the west to exceptionally wet in the east; but in Belize the range was from moderately dry to slightly wet.

ABOUT CariSAM November 2017 SPI (left) and SPI Differ- ence (below) Read more at https:// rcc.cimh.edu.

bb/spi- monitor/ AGRI-NEWS Government and grassroots efforts are helping agriculture re- cover from Hurricane Maria—and emerge stronger than before.
Read more at https://news.nationalgeographic.com/2017/11/ puerto-rico-agriculture-destruction-resilience-hurricane- maria/ The Caribbean Society for Agricultural Meteorology (CariSAM) is an online platform that hosts forums, pro- vided online weather and climate information for agro-meteorologists, and much more.

Agricultural inter- ests can register and access relevant information and be a part of future capacity building exercises, and more.
Visit us at: www.carisam.cimh.edu.bb A CARIBBEAN AGRO-CLIMATIC BULLETIN OF THE CARISAM JANUARY 20178 REGIONAL OUTLOOKS JANUARY—FEBRUARY—MARCH 2018 For the period of January to March 2018, rainfall totals could meet or even exceed the normal amounts across the ABC Islands, the Guianas, the Leeward Islands and Trinidad and Tobago.

Normal to below normal condi- tions are possible across The Bahamas.
With the increasing likelihood of wet spell across the coastal Guianas through January the potential for flash flooding increases.

Night-time (minimum) and day-time (maximum) tempera- tures in the Caribbean are likely to be meet normal condi- tions or even feel warmer, except perhaps Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago and, at night, the Windwards.

Maximum Temperature (right) and Minimum Temperature (below) N.B.
The darker the the color greater chance of or increasing decreasing tem- perature As at the end of November 2017, the central parts of The Ba- hamas and southeastern Haïti were under a long-term drought, while short term drought is seen in southeastern Haïti, western-most portions of Jamaica and Martinique.

Short-term drought conditions may remain in southeastern Haïti and may also develop in northern-most portions of the Dominican Republic, the Leewards (except St. Kitts), Marti- nique and Islands.
Visit https:// rcc.cimh.edu.bb/long-range-forecasts/caricof- climate-outlooks/ the US Virgin CLIMATE-SMART ADVISORIES The chance of greater amounts of rainfall in the upcoming season could see bumper crop yields (e.g.

avocado and man- goes) in some territories, while taking note that above nor- mal rainfall in the dry season does not necessarily mean wa- ter requirements would be fully met without irrigation.
The lower night-time temperatures favour pollen viability and would also give rise to increased crop production.

On the contrary, the incidence of pests and diseases (e.g.

bacterial leaf diseases and water moles) could be an issue.

Follow the guidelines from your local agricultural represent- atives to effectively control pests and diseases.

Some citrus crops may also be impacted due to increased rains but should thrive with favourable dry-spells.
As flash flood potential may be a concern in some territories, farmers are advised to: • Maintain drains around crop beds and/or plant crops on raised beds, particularly in the central and northern por- tions of the region • House animals on high ground and/or on raised pens • Store fertilizer away from moisture and water sources In regions where rainfall amounts are likely to be reduced, techniques such as mulching could be employed so as to conserve soil moisture.
Disclaimer The information contained herein is provided with the un- derstanding that the CARDI, and the CIMH make no warran- ties, either expressed or implied concerning the accuracy, completeness, reliability or suitability of said information.

This bulletin provides a broad overview of climate conditions up to 6 months in advance.

It is recommended that stake- holders should use this information in combination with nearer term weather forecasts to guide operational decision making.
The bulletin may be freely used by the public with appropriate acknowledgement of its source but shall not be modified in content and then presented as original material.

CONTACT US: Adrian Trotman Agro-meteorologist/ Chief of Applied Meteorology and Climatology, CIMH Email: atrotman@cimh.edu.bb Shontelle Stoute Technical Officer, CIMH Rasheeda Hall-Hanson CARDI Email: sstoute@cimh.edu.bb Email: rhhanson@cardi.org