☀️ Cayman Islands set for a hot, wet summer

The Cayman Islands National Weather Service (CINWS) is forecasting an unusually hot and wet summer for Grand Cayman. After a notably dry start to 2024, the island is expected to experience rainfall 50-59% above the annual average between now and the end of July. The rainy season is predicted to bring even more precipitation, with rainfall expected to be 79% above average. This could lead to increased flooding throughout the summer and into the autumn. 🌊

March, typically the driest month for the Cayman Islands, saw only half the annual average rainfall this year. However, the transition from the current El Niño phase to a neutral phase, and then to La Niña, is predicted to bring heavier and more frequent rain for the next six months. Along with the increased rainfall, the CINWS is also predicting much higher than average temperatures, with a moderate heatwave expected during the summer months. 🌡️

The district of West Bay, which has seen less rain than other parts of Grand Cayman, is also expected to experience an increase in rainfall as the wet season approaches. The CINWS attributes this to localized rain in recent weeks that has bypassed the district. However, the upcoming season is expected to bring island-wide precipitation, potentially from tropical systems, tropical waves, tropical depressions, tropical storms, and hurricanes. 🌀