Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1697799597540.pdf (Dominica)
BULLETIN METEOROLOGICAL BULLETIN MONTHLY AGRO----METEOROLOGICAL BULLETIN BULLETIN MONTHLY AGRO METEOROLOGICAL METEOROLOGICAL MONTHLY AGRO MONTHLY AGRO Vol.

2 Issue 1 April 2013 OVERVIEW OF CONDITIONS FOR APRIL 2013 fertilization and other farm practices.

The above normal rainfall, however, resulted in flooding of farms in the eastern regions and infrastructural damage to roads.

The Dasheen Complex Disease was seen for the first time on farms in the Salisbury heights and Syndicate area.
There was a widespread outbreak of a fungal disease in pumpkin in parts of the west region while an infestation of whiteflies on crops not usually affected by the pest was observed in the northeast region.

Parameter Canefield Airport Melville-Hall Airport Figure 1 Daily rainfall at Canefield and Melville Hall Airports Rainfall for April was beyond expectations as record breaking totals were recorded at both the Canefield and Melville Hall Airports within the past 30 years.
At Canefield, 203.6mm or a little more than times the normal rainfall was recorded.

This is the highest total for April since recordkeeping began.

The maximum daily total was 39.2mm on the 20th.

Following days of limited rainfall, the deficit created by a 6 day dry spell during the second week was quickly reversed during the third week.

A total of 684.4mm of rainfall was recorded at Melville Hall during the month.

This is almost 4 times the monthly average.


This is the second highest monthly total for April on record.

During the earlier part of April, some root and vegetable crops wilted while others showed signs of stunted growth as a result of the dry conditions in the west region.

No major crop establishment was undertaken.

With the onset of the rains, mostly roots crops were established and farmers were able to carry out Rainfall Total 30 year average No.
of dry days (<1.0mm) Temperature 30 year average Maximum Temperature Minimum Temperature Relative Humidity Maximum wind gust 203.6mm 54.8mm 18 684.4mm 171.8mm 6 27.7°C 27.9°C 33.1°C (15th) 26.9°C 27.2°C 30.4°C (15th,24th) 21.7°C (5th,19th ) 21.4°C (20th,21st,25th 26th) 74% 52km/h 62% 56km/h Table 1 Monthly weather parameters CLIMATE SUMMARY FOR MAY Parameter Rainfall Canefield Airport Melville Hall Airport 92.0mm 244.5mm -highest total 298.3mm (1987) 815.7mm (1987) -lowest total 9.8mm (2007) 12.1mm (2001) Temperature 28.8°C 28.0°C -maximum 34.6°C (2005) 33.0°C (2010) -minimum 20.5°C (1989) 19.8°C (1984/ 1986) Chance of 5 day dry spell Chance of 10 day dry spell 96% 50% 53% 17% Table 2 Climate summary for May 1 Vol.
2 Issue 1 April 2013 REGIONAL OVERVIEW ON SEASONAL CLIMATE FORECASTS OUTLOOK FOR THE FARMING COMMUNITY • Rainfall is forecast to be normal to above normal for May to July 2013.

• 40% chance that rainfall total will be above normal, a 35% chance of being near normal and a 25% chance of being below normal.

• Sea surface temperature 0.5C above normal.

Air temperatures are likely to be above normal also.
Figure 2 Precipitation outlook for the Caribbean: May-June-July 2013 (colored areas represent sub-regions in which the probabilities fall).

With normal rainfall possible, farmers should keep drains free of debris in order to minimize flooding.

be Drains along constructed contour line on slopes to prevent the significant loss of topsoil.

should Growth of weeds and wild host plants in and around fields should be controlled at this time.

Weeds are problematic mainly in new clearings and in pruned fields.
They offer hiding places and serve as alternate hosts for insects pests.

They compete with crops for large nutrients and moisture; grasses take away quantities of potassium and deprive plants of this major nutrient.

Certain cultural practices like mulching and manual weeding are important.

Need based application of recommended herbicides will also assist in controlling weeds in new clearings.
Follow the recommendations on the dosage rates stipulated for each fertilizer and follow all safety measures while applying fertilizer.

Application of higher dosage of potassium fertilizers is known to reduce the incidence of pests and disease in several crops.

With above normal temperature being forecasted, farmers are encouraged to continue planting as open field vegetables may not perform as well.

There could be a decrease of vegetables on the local market.
ANNOUNCEMENTS The policy brief and documentary on the CAMI project will be handed over to the Minister of Agriculture.

Agromet bulletins from across the region can be accessed via http://63.175.159.26/~cimh/cami/.

Moon Phases: NM: May 10 FM: May 25 LQ: May 31 FQ: May 18 This bulletin is prepared by the Dominica Meteorological Service with support from the CAMI project and the Ministry of Agriculture.
Feedback on this bulletin should be forwarded to The Senior Meteorological Officer at metoffice@cwdom.dm Tele: 767 445 7878, 767 449 1990.

Website: www.weather.gov.dm Hotline: 447 5555 2