Dryness remains despite improved rains in Latin America and Haiti
Africa Weather Hazards
Below-average rains during the Belg season and a late onset of the Kiremt rains have led to persistent moisture deficits, which have delayed planting and hurt the development of already-planted crops over the Arsi and West Arsi areas of central Ethiopia.
An early cessation of Mar-May seasonal rainfall and an abnormally dry July has hurt crop and pasture conditions in parts of central and northern Ethiopia.
Despite a return to seasonable precipitation in August, moisture deficit persist in northwestern Senegal. The delayed onset of the season in July has already affected crops.
Latin America and the Caribbean Weather Hazards
Moderate to heavy rain during the past several weeks flooded local areas, damaged infrastructure, displaced populations and caused fatalities in Haiti and the Dominican Republic. Increased rains have helped to mitigate long-term seasonal dryness throughout southern and eastern Hispaniola, but abnormal dryness remains across southern Haiti and parts of western, central, and northern Dominican Republic. A reduction in rainfall is expected during the next week, which will likely increase rainfall deficits.
Extended dry spells and below-average rains since March have led to substantial seasonal rainfall deficits and poor ground conditions in southeastern Honduras, west-central Nicaragua, and parts of northern Costa Rica. Poorly distributed Primera rainfall and acute dryness in mid-June have also caused crop failure in eastern El Salvador, southern Honduras, and eastern Guatemala. Rains have improved since mid-August, but dryness from poor Primera season rains still lingers. Heavy rain is forecast for the next week, which should help to reduce rainfall deficits.
Torrential rains forecast for the next week are expected to fall over western Guatemala, where rains have been below-average over the past 30-60 days. Localized flash flooding and landslides are possible.
