The Barbados Meteorological Services (BMS) has released a report on rainfall distribution for March 2023, as well as announced its projections for rainfall over the next few months.
Current situation
Rain accumulations across the southern sections of the island have been extremely low. Parishes such as St. Philip, Christ Church, St. John, southern St. George, most of St. Michael, as well as southern St. James, have been experiencing very dry top soils and short vegetation has been drying out over the past few weeks.
These areas are where most of the grass fires have been sparking. In higher elevation areas, although there is a reduction in precipitation, vegetation remains fair. However, in all areas, rain accumulations have not yielded much for aquifers over the past few months.
Outlook
Latest short-term climate forecast from the BMS for rain accumulation over the next few months (up until June) is expected to be below normal. Previous forecasts of an early start to rains in May are no longer expected based on the latest predictions. However, from a statistical perspective, there could easily be an anomalous day in the coming months that gives some minor relief, but quickly thereafter it returns to low rain accumulations.
In summary, we are expecting relief showers more so in June, aligning with the start of the wet season. Note, these predictions can change, hence why we update them every month.
Impacts
- Significant impacts to rainfed crops particularly across the south of the island
- Large field fires are highly possible up until June
- Foliage is expected to remain very poor across the south of the island and fair in higher elevations for grazing livestock.
What you should do to help mitigate the impacts?
- Utilise water conservation methods prescribed by the Barbados Water Authority.
- Use crops that handle dry conditions better.
- Look after livestock in dry parched fields by supplying adequate fresh drinking water and fodder.
- Use other best recommended practices prescribed by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security.