Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1697799630074.pdf (Dominica)
BULLETIN METEOROLOGICAL BULLETIN MONTHLY AGRO----METEOROLOGICAL MONTHLY AGRO BULLETIN BULLETIN METEOROLOGICAL METEOROLOGICAL MONTHLY AGRO MONTHLY AGRO Vol.

4 Issue 4 July 2015 OVERVIEW OF CONDITIONS FOR JULY While some tropical waves moved across the area this month, they did not produce much rainfall due to the dry atmospheric conditions.

Farmers, particularly in the western regions, are being affected by the inadequate rainfall amounts.
Those in the interior have fared better with rainfall hindering land preparation activities such as tilling and ploughing.

No significant crop losses were reported which may be due to adaptation measures employed.

There was an infestation of snails and slugs in the north east due to favorable weather conditions and bad farm practices.
And while the dry conditions have inhibited fungal problems, Powdery mildew was observed in cucurbitaceous crops in the higher elevations as a result of warm and humid conditions there.

An increase of Black Sigatoka and white flies in the central region was also noticed.

Proper housing provided livestock some relief from the hot and dry conditions at the Government Livestock Farm but pasture grasses and forage had to be collected from other areas to provide feed for them.
A two day simulation exercise in Avian Influenza was conducted in the central and south regions.

Special attention was given to the changing migratory patterns of birds due to unusual weather and climatic events in their habitat.
2015 HURRICANE NAMES: Ana, Bill, Claudette, Danny, Erika, Fred, Grace, Henri, Ida, Joaquin, Kate, Larry, Mindy, Nicholas, Odette, Peter, Rose, Sam, Teresa, Victor, Wanda 1 Figure 1 Daily rainfall at Canefield and Douglas-Charles Airports Parameter Canefield Airport Rainfall Total 30 year normal Wet Days (≥1.0mm) 72.0mm 218.8 to 315.1mm 9 Douglas-Charles Airport 77.6mm 199.1 to 273.2mm 13 Temperature 30 year average Maximum Temperature Minimum Temperature Relative Humidity Maximum wind gust Average daily sunshine hours 29.4°C 28.9°C 33.6°C (26th) 28.4°C 28.9°C 30.8°C (28th) 22.9°C (19th) 23.0°C (18th) 61% 72km/h - 74% 59km/h 7hrs 18mins Table 1 Monthly weather parameters Canefield was exceptionally dry with rainfall about 29% of the mean.
The month’s highest daily rainfall total was 14.9mm recorded on the 29th.

This is the 4th consecutive month of below-normal rainfall.

Douglas-Charles was extremely dry with rainfall just 33% of the mean.

The highest rainfall total recorded was 17.3mm on the 13th.

The first and last weeks were the driest.

Vol.


4 Issue 4 July 2015 CLIMATE SUMMARY FOR AUGUST DROUGHT OUTLOOK Parameter Rainfall Canefield Airport Douglas-Charles Airport 244.3mm 255.4mm El Nino is intensifying and impactful drought concerns have increased.

Protect your resources, conserve water.
-highest total 539.4mm (2007) 457.3mm (2010) -lowest total 102.0mm (1984) 80.1mm (1984) Temperature 28.9°C 28.8°C -maximum 35.4°C (2005) 34.3°C (1996) -minimum 21.7°C (1996) 20.9°C (1992) Chance of 5 day dry spell Chance of 10 day dry spell 40% 0% 10% 0% Table 2 Climate summary for August REGIONAL OVERVIEW ON SEASONAL FORECASTS Figure 2 Precipitation outlook for the Caribbean: Aug-Sep-Oct 2015 • Dry conditions with fewer wet days and wet spells than normal are expected to continue towards the end of October.
There is 10% chance of above normal, 30% normal and 60% below normal rainfall amounts • Air temperature expected to be above normal.

LQ: 6th NM: 14th FQ: 22nd FM: 29th OUTLOOK FOR THE FARMING COMMUNITY Farmers are advised to adhere to good agricultural practices that will reduce infestation levels of pest and diseases that thrive in present weather conditions.

Do remain vigilant in the fight against the spread of the deadly Black Sigatoka disease.
Livestock farmers are encouraged to establish plant species such as trichantera and mulberry as an additional food source for animals.

This will also help to mitigate negative effects of drought on pastures.

Do continue to harvest rain for water use and conservation.

We are still in the hurricane season and practices such as clearing of storm drains should be maintained.

consultant next month The plant protection and quarantine unit will host examine Brazilian components of the red palm mite project.
Focus will be placed on experimental plots to investigate fungus that is a biological control to red palm mite.

Agro-met data will be used in the project for pest dynamics.

to Agromet bulletins from across the region can be accessed via http://63.175.159.26/cami/regional_bulletin.html.

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 metoffice@cwdom.dm or aictudoa@gmail.com Tele: 767 445 7878, 767 449 1990.

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