Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1697799639256.pdf (Dominica)
BULLETIN METEOROLOGICAL BULLETIN MONTHLY AGRO----METEOROLOGICAL MONTHLY AGRO BULLETIN BULLETIN METEOROLOGICAL METEOROLOGICAL MONTHLY AGRO MONTHLY AGRO Vol.

4 Issue 5 August 2015 OVERVIEW OF CONDITIONS FOR AUGUST At Canefield, 335.0mm was recorded during Erika’s passage and 225.2mm at Douglas-Charles.

The drought conditions persisted into the first 3 weeks of the month, however, these became a distant memory as the chaos wrought by Erika was revealed on the morning of the 27th.
The agricultural community saw complete destruction of main feeder roads and public bridges which have disconnected farmers from their farms.

Large sections of property were lost to landslides and swollen rivers.

Healthy top spoils were washed away leaving a layer of sand unsuitable for planting.

The essential oil industry has taken a hit with the death of key employees and the destruction of processing plants in Petite Savanne, Boetica and Delices.
Erika was primarily a rainfall event and 80% of crops were spared due to the lack of wind.

However, the Belles catchment area saw major losses in dasheen and tree crops.

The north region was not significantly impacted by the storm.

Livestock and livestock infrastructure were impacted severely as goats, cows, pigs and chickens which were near rivers and streams were washed away.
2015 HURRICANE NAMES: Ana, Bill, Claudette, Danny, Erika, Fred, Grace, Henri, Ida, Joaquin, Kate, Larry, Mindy, Nicholas, Odette, Peter, Rose, Sam, Teresa, Victor, Wanda o all sympathies to all Heartfelt sympathies t Heartfelt o all o all sympathies t sympathies t Heartfelt Heartfelt of you who have lost loved of you who have lost loved of you who have lost loved of you who have lost loved ones, property, livelihoods ones, property, livelihoods ones, property, livelihoods ones, property, livelihoods any impacted in any been impacted in or or or or been any any impacted in impacted in been been during Erika!!!
waywaywayway during Erika!!!

during Erika!!!

during Erika!!!
1 Figure 1 Daily rainfall at Canefield and Douglas-Charles Airports Parameter Canefield Airport Rainfall Total 30 year normal Wet Days (≥1.0mm) 440.8mm 181.1 to 271.5mm 13 Douglas-Charles Airport 334.8mm 203.6 to 257.2mm 17 Temperature 30 year average Maximum Temperature Minimum Temperature Relative Humidity Maximum wind gust Average daily sunshine hours 29.4°C 28.9°C 34.3°C (12th, 20th) 28.6°C 28.8°C 31.9°C (25th) 22.5°C (17th, 27th) 22.7°C (27th) 68% 54km/h - 76% 63km/h 8hrs 30mins Table 1 Monthly weather parameters The first 20 days of the month were very dry with about 6% and 24% of the month’s rainfall total being measured at the Canefield and Douglas-Charles Airports, respectively.
TS Danny on the 23rd brought much relief to the drought being experienced while continuous, torrential rains during TS Erika on the 26th to 27th, resulted in the loss of lives and property.

Vol.
4 Issue 5 CLIMATE SUMMARY FOR SEPTEMBER August 2015 DROUGHT OUTLOOK Parameter Rainfall Canefield Airport Douglas-Charles Airport 253.7mm 319.1mm -highest total 434.4mm (1996) 744.5mm (2004) -lowest total 31.9mm (2012) 94.3mm (2012) Temperature 28.7°C 28.6°C -maximum 34.9°C (2005) 34.3°C (2012) -minimum 20.7°C (1997) 20.0°C (1992) Chance of 5 day dry spell Chance of 10 day dry spell 53% 7% 33% 0% Table 2 Climate summary for September REGIONAL OVERVIEW ON SEASONAL FORECASTS Figure 2 Precipitation outlook for the Caribbean: Sep-Oct-Nov 2015 • Dry conditions with fewer wet days and wet spells than normal are expected to continue towards the end of October.
There is 20% chance of above normal, 30% normal and 50% below normal rainfall amounts • Air temperature expected to be above normal LQ: 5th NM: 12th FQ: 21st FM: 27th While the drought conditions have eased, concern still exists for the dry conditions to resurface as the ‘ingredients’ still persist.

Protect your resources, conserve water.

OUTLOOK FOR THE FARMING COMMUNITY Poor agricultural practices on slopes were major contributors to the significant soil erosion which occurred on farms during Erika.
Farmers should refrain from clearing and planting on slopes which are prone to landslides.

Storm drains should be maintained and contour planting employed to remove excess water from farmlands.

Farmers should pay attention to weather forecasts and move livestock to higher ground when high rainfall events are expected.

Farmers who have been affected should contact their the Division of extension officer and complete Agriculture’s Assessment of Agriculture Enterprise form.
Precaution must be taken when visiting areas affected by land and mud slides because grounds are unstable and prone to further erosion.

agricultural practices risk Good management techniques must be performed at all times.

and disaster 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