Drought watch for Portland, drought alerts for sections of St Catherine and Clarendon

The Meteorological Service has issued a drought watch for Portland arising from dry conditions.

The agency has also issued a drought alert for sections of St Catherine and Clarendon.

The Met office says there is severe drying in those parishes with near-normal drying in Kingston, St. Andrew and St James.

“During the period of July to September the forecasts are indicating high chance of warmer-than-normal temperatures with below-normal rainfall,” said the Met office.

Noting that current projections are now indicating a decline in rainfall over most stations, the agency said, “ over the upcoming three months there is a possibility that this could lead to worsening drought conditions, especially over sections of Portland, St Catherine and Clarendon,”.

The Met office says it will continue to monitor the findings from the models in the upcoming months so as to advise stakeholders, especially farmers.

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