Heat on Jamaica

But an already scorching summer is likely to get hotter, peaking at 36 degrees Celsius in some areas of the country, said local weather expert Glenroy Brown.

“Yes, we are expecting hotter temperatures all the way up to August,” said Brown who operates WeatherJamaica on Twitter.

Temperature forecast data on the island for July to September suggests warmer than normal conditions. This should be noticeable on days without any rainfall. Rainfall during the same period is projected to be “near-normal to above-normal” the report stated which is in line with a busy hurricane season projected this year.

“Heat stress impacts are therefore likely to increase,” the report stated but added that it was not expecting “extreme temperatures will reach the record” levels across the country in 2019.

“We are already seeing temperatures near 34-35ºC. We think it could peak near 36ºC in some areas,” said Brown.

Such warmer temperatures help create the ideal environment for hurricanes. There have been three named tropical cyclones already with a possible fourth being monitored by the National Hurricane Center after a Tropical Wave formed Monday morning east of the Windward Islands.

But an active system out in the Atlantic isn’t the reason for the soaring heat we have been experiencing on the island.

“Yes, we are expecting hotter temperature all the way up to August,” Brown explained. “But it is not due to the system, but rather the time of the year when the sun is directly overhead in the tropics.”

Meantime, persons should rehydrate frequently to avoid heat stress or sun strokes. Light-coloured, breathable clothing should be worn during this time of the year. Persons should also try schedule outdoor errands outside daytime heating peak period, which is between noon and 2:00 pm.