“Although the temperatures of the ocean in the Caribbean are boosting the risks of storms, El Nio is actually decreasing,” Thompson noted.
“As a result of the interplay between those systems, we predict a more or less normal (hurricane) season on average,” he said.
Every year, the hurricane season lasts from June 1 through November 30.
According to Thompson, El Nio is strengthening and is projected to last throughout the hurricane season, “which implies that it is good news in terms of the number of systems that might emerge.”
He did warn, though, that meteorologists are still unsure where storms or hurricanes would form, how long they might continue, or how powerful they might become.
However, the El Nio weather phenomena are predicted to have an impact on temperatures over Jamaica, which Thompson predicts will be “above” average.
“We’ve already begun to experience really warm weather, and there have been several comments about how hot it is.”
“Unfortunately, the Meteorological Service can do little to lessen the temperature, but we can advise you that temperatures are anticipated to remain above average during the hurricane season,” Thompson added.
He went on to say that “even if it’s just one degree over average, it’s big for us.”
El Nio, according to Thompson, will also lead to decreased rainfall locally.
“There is more stress with hot temperatures and less rainfall, and we must be ready to manage it,” he encouraged locals.
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