Rashaed Esson

Staff Writer

December 13, 2023 – The Caribbean region and Belize are set to receive cooler temperatures for December into February, breaking the cycle of high temperatures that moved over the region for the majority of 2023; however, the early dry season, as well as the long dry season in some parts, will also start. This is according to CariCOF’s Caribbean Climate Outlook Newsletter.

Comfortable temperature and humidity, the newsletter says, will give the region a break, along with the early dry season in the Caribbean Islands and Belize and the long dry season in the far interior of the Guianas, bringing with it fewer wet days and heavy rains by February. 

Fortunately, this generally means a lower risk of floods, as the report highlights (moderate through December). But in mountainous areas, the flood potential remains high.

With the dry seasons approaching, the report indicates that there is more concern regarding drought due to rainfall deficits and short dry spells, particularly in northwest Belize.

The newsletter breaks down the behavior of the dry season in specific areas starting with Belize, which it says will see a transition into the season from December to January and heavy showers becoming less frequent. 

For the Caribbean Islands north of 16 degrees north, there will be an early dry season in December, along with a decrease in rainfall intensity. January will bring sunny days with the potential for showers.

In continuation, Caribbean Islands south of 16 degrees north (except ABC Islands) are scheduled to see a transition to the dry season from December to January, along with a reduction in shower frequency and intensity.

February will bring the peak of the dry season, with often sunny, mostly light morning or evening showers on some days. The ABC Islands are to experience the transition to the dry season in February.