FEWS NET is a USAID-funded activity whose purpose is to provide objective information about food security conditions. Its views are not necessarily reflective of those of USAID or the U.S. Government. The FEWS NET weather hazards outlook process and products include participation by FEWS NET field and home offices, NOAA-CPC, USGS, USDA, NASA, and a number of other national and regional organizations in the countries concerned. Questions or comments about this product may be directed to Wassila.Thiaw@noaa.gov or 1-301-763-8000 x7566. Questions about the USAID FEWSNET activity may be directed to Gary Eilerts, USAID Program Manager for FEWSNET, 1-202- 219-0500 or geilerts@usaid.gov.
Climate Prediction Center’s Hispaniola Hazards Outlook For USAID / FEWS-NET
December 1 – December 7, 2011
Little to no rainfall was observed over Haiti during the past week, but a frontal passage could enhance rainfall over the northern departments.
With the second season coming to an end, little to no (< 10 mm) rainfall has been observed over Haiti during the past week. This has helped to maintain rainfall deficits that have been observed over much of Haiti and Hispaniola during the past six weeks. The resulting dryness has begun to negatively impact vegetation conditions over parts of the L’Artibonite, Ouest, Nord, and Nord-Est departments of Haiti. Since the beginning of the season, Haiti has received an average to below-average rainfall, with the strongest deficits observed over the L’Artibonite department. In the latter area, negative rainfall anomalies have ranged between 200 and 300 mm or rainfall totals between 50 and 75 percent of the average. Additional suppression of rainfall could worsen dryness and potentially damage late-planted crops in many local areas. During the next seven days, model forecasts suggest light (< 10 mm) rainfall to fall over Haiti. However, frontal passages could trigger instabilities and bring moderate (20 – 40 mm) showers in the north.
