Jamaica Observer Online, in association with a number of partners, has produced its 2024 Hurricane Season Guide. This is one of the many stories in the supplement which can be accessed here.

KINGSTON, Jamaica – Despite an expected increase in rainfall frequency, Jamaicans should largely anticipate warmer days and nights for September to November 2024.

The Met Service’s Preliminary Rainfall and Drought Report, published in May, predicted above-normal temperatures for western and central areas of the island during the period.

The temperature forecast for the island from September to November shows a 40 per cent chance of above-normal temperatures, a 35 per cent chance of normal temperatures and a 25 per cent chance of below-normal temperatures.

The report also highlighted improvements in drought conditions across the island.

For the bi-monthly period February/March, 51 per cent of the island was experiencing normal drought conditions with Portland and St Mary having severe drought conditions.

By March/April 2024, 70 per cent of the island was experiencing no drought conditions with St Catherine, St Thomas and St Mary experiencing severe drought while Clarendon and Kingston and St Andrew had normal drought conditions.

The conditions continued to improve for the April/May 2024 period with 79 per cent of the island experience no drought conditions. However, the report noted that Kingston and St Andrew was experiencing severe drought conditions while Westmoreland, St Elizabeth, St Catherine, and St Mary were experiencing normal drought conditions.