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 1-301-683-3424. 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
March 7 – March 13, 2013
Anomalous dryness prevails in the north, while increased rains are expected for southern Hispaniola during the next week.
In the last seven days, seasonable amounts of precipitation were received throughout Hispaniola. The highest rainfall totals were observed over the Gulf of Gonaive region of Haiti, with many local coastal areas in the Ouest and Artibonite departments experiencing between 20-40mm in late April and early March. Further inland, and into much of the Dominican Republic, little to no rainfall was received. Since the beginning of February, below-average rainfall over northern Hispaniola continues to provide unfavorable ground moisture conditions. Many local areas in the Nord-Ouest, Nord, and Nord-Est departments of Haiti have experienced less than half of their normal rainfall accumulations since the beginning of the year. Precipitation forecasts suggest an increase in rainfall during the next seven days; however the probability for locally heavy rainfall remains over southern Haiti and central Dominican Republic. As a result, not much relief to the dryness is expected over northern Hispaniola during early march.
