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Climate Prediction Center’s Hispaniola Hazards Outlook January 2, 2014 – January 8, 2014
Below average rainfs expected next week.
During the last week, seasonably light rains were received across parts of the Dominican Republic, with slightly suppressed amounts of precipitation over Haiti. The highest weekly rainfall accumulations were recorded in the Sabana region of northeastern Dominican Republic. Over the past 30 days, precipitation has been largely suppressed, with few local areas experienced average to above-average rainfall. The below-average rainfall in December has followed an anomalously dry summer and fall seasons throughout much of Hispaniola. Remotely sensed vegetation indices continue to show poor ground conditions in the Monte Cristi, and Puerto Plata departments of northwestern Dominican Republic, as well as, in the Barahona department in the southwest.
However, some local areas have experienced some improvement during the past few weeks. For the upcoming outlook period, drier than average amounts of precipitation is expected across the island during the first week of January. The continuation of suppressed rainfall is likely to strengthen moisture deficits over many local areas where ground conditions are poor, and may adversely impact winter cropping activities.
