Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1697798959912.pdf (Dominica)
BULLETIN METEOROLOGICAL BULLETIN MONTHLY AGRO----METEOROLOGICAL MONTHLY AGRO BULLETIN BULLETIN METEOROLOGICAL METEOROLOGICAL MONTHLY AGRO MONTHLY AGRO Vol.
4 Issue 2 May 2015 OVERVIEW OF CONDITIONS FOR MAY 2015 Figure 1 Daily rainfall at Canefield and Douglas-Charles Airports MONTHLY WEATHER PARAMETERS FOR MAY Parameter Canefield Airport Douglas-Charles Airport Rainfall Total 30 year normal Wet Days (≥1.0mm) 25.7mm 44.8 to 116.9mm 3 36.1mm 139.1 to 262.9mm 6 Temperature 30 year average Maximum Temperature Minimum Temperature Relative Humidity Maximum wind gust Average daily sunshine hours 29.3°C 28.8°C 33.8°C (30th) 28.2°C 28.0°C 30.7°C (4th ) 22.0°C (26th) 20.6°C (5th ) 57% 34km/h - 69% 48km/h 9hrs 12mins Table 1 Monthly weather parameters Canefield Airport recorded 25.7mm of rainfall which is below-normal.
The month’s highest daily rainfall total was 21.2mm recorded on the 28th during the passage of a tropical wave.

There were only 3 rainfall days.

Below-normal rainfall, 36.1mm, was also recorded at Douglas-Charles Airport.

The highest rainfall total recorded was 11.5mm on the 28th.

There were only 6 rainfall days.

The dry season has significantly affected all the seven agricultural regions and forestry and wildlife division.
Reports indicated that a large number of crops suffered from water stress due to below normal rainfall.

Young plantain stems have lost their leaves or dried up, dasheen not planted in swamps saw losses as much as 45% and sweet potatoes in heavy clay soils could not be harvested.

The only crops which were not affected by the high temperatures and lack of rainfall were pineapples and passionfruits.
There was a slight increase in passionfruit production though reports indicated that some trellises were affected by bushfires.

Ginger was also established.

The West Region saw bushfires which lasted more than three days.

The division of Forestry and Wildlife indicated that there were a number of bushfires and a few frogs died due to the dry conditions.

Black Sigatoka incidents decreased in most of the regions.
CLIMATE SUMMARY FOR JUNE Parameter Rainfall Canefield Airport Douglas-Charles Airport 159.5mm 191.0mm -highest total 381.3mm (2006) 424.3mm (1987) -lowest total 54.6mm (1985) 43.1mm (1989) Temperature 29.0°C 28.5°C -maximum 34.8°C (1991) 33.7°C (1985) -minimum 21.5°C (2009) 21.0°C (1985) Chance of 5 day dry spell Chance of 10 day dry spell 80% 27% 40% 7% Table 2 Climate summary for June 1 Vol.
4 Issue 2 May 2015 REGIONAL OVERVIEW ON SEASONAL CLIMATE FORECASTS Figure 2 Precipitation outlook for the Caribbean: Jun-Jul-Aug 2015 • Rainfall total by end of August is expected to be below normal.

Late start to the rains.

Air temperature expected to be above normal.

• There is a 20% chance of above normal, 30% normal and 50% below normal rainfall amounts.
REGIONAL DROUGHT OUTLOOK FM: 2nd LQ: 9th NM: 16th nd t th FQ: 24th While no concern for drought exists by the end of August, some concern for impactful drought exists by the end of the wet season.
OUTLOOK FOR THE FARMING COMMUNITY Based on the forecast for the dry conditions to persist in some areas: Listen to the daily weather report to know what to expect and to plan accordingly Liaise with your extension service to review and update your strategic drought/hurricane plans Farmers especially in the Northeast and West of the island incorporate water management on farms.

• Irrigate any new crop establishment.


Sufficient irrigation is needed for crops such as vegetables and other short term crops • Supply enough water for livestock operation • Plastic and/or grass mulching is necessary for soil moisture conservation • Water can be transported to the farms • Set up drums/ containers to collect rainwater on farms in a safe manner Pest and disease management for example, considered, chemicals to treat the deadly Black Sigatoka.
should be the application of 2015 HURRICANE NAMES: Ana, Bill, Claudette, Danny, Erika, Fred, Grace, Henri, Ida, Joaquin, Kate, Larry, Mindy, Nicholas, Odette, Peter, Rose, Sam, Teresa, Victor, Wanda Agromet bulletins from across the region can be accessed via http://63.175.159.26/cami/regional_bulletin.html.

Climatologists/ meteorologists and stakeholders met for the wet season Caribbean Climate Outlook Forum at the end of May.

The 2015 Atlantic hurricane season has begun.


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