Droughts in Jamaica: A Growing Climate Risk

Jamaica, as a Small Island Developing State (SIDS), is on the frontline of climate variability. The sharp swing from January 2026’s cold temperatures to the intense heat projected for summer highlights the current climate reality: stronger extremes, greater variability, and increasing pressure on our national systems. What is drought? A prolonged period of below-average rainfall that leads to water shortages affecting farming, households, ecosystems, and the economy. Jamaica has two main dry seasons:– February to March– July to August Climate change is amplifying hydroclimatic variability across seasons. Increasingly, we are observing comparatively wetter dry seasons and drier wet seasons, reflecting a shift in traditional rainfall patterns. Precipitation events are becoming more erratic and intense, often occurring as short-duration, high-intensity storms that generate rapid surface runoff rather than facilitating infiltration and groundwater recharge. Simultaneously, rising air temperatures are elevating evapotranspiration rates, accelerating soil moisture depletion and intensifying hydrological stress on both ecosystems and water supply systems. In an interview with the Jamaica Observer (Feb 15, 2026), Luke Buchanan, Executive Director of MGI, warned that despite the early-year cold front, extremely hot and humid conditions are expected for summer 2026. Adaptation is critical. How drought impacts Jamaica: The National Water Commission (NWC) has faced mounting pressure as reservoirs and rivers decline. Some systems have operated at as low as 10–40% capacity in recent years, leading to regulated schedules and conservation appeals. Drought in Jamaica is no longer occasional – it is structural. Strengthening water storage, expanding rainwater harvesting, promoting climate-smart agriculture, modernising infrastructure, and improving conservation practices are essential. Protecting Jamaica’s economy, communities, and future requires urgent investment in water resilience. Contact Us:Email: info@monagis.comPhone: (876) 816-8791 / (876) 671-7001Web: www.monagis.com #ClimateChange #Jamaica #Drought #WaterSecurity #ClimateAdaptation

Kingston is rapidly urbanizing, marked by the recent emergence of high-rise buildings and dense concrete developments. As these structures replace natural habitats, they trap heat and block natural drainage, escalating threats from flooding, coastal erosion, and intense urban temperatures. Integrating functional ecosystems into our infrastructure is an urgent necessity to protect our communities from climate change. To address this, MGI are consultants for the UNDP Euroclima programme on: Scoping of Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) Pilot for Euroclima Project. Over 6 months, we will scope NbS options (mangrove restoration, urban forestry, ecological corridors) across Kingston, identifying pilot sites and sustainable financing for the solution. This project is strengthened by our partnership with Dr. David Oswald (Design + Environment, Canada). Since 2013, our relationship has utilized innovative solutions to deliver successful sustainable development projects across the Caribbean. On February 16, 2026 our joint team held a successful inception meeting, presenting our methodology to stakeholders and gathering critical insights to guide the next phases. MGI Director, Luke Buchanan captures the urgency: “In SIDS like Jamaica, Nature-based Solutions (NbS) are no longer a luxury of urban design, they are the biological infrastructure required to keep our cities livable in a warming world.” Project Manager Romario Anderson explains why NbS outperforms: “Traditional man-made solutions are costly to maintain and inevitably degrade over time. Nature-based solutions do the exact opposite. Living buffers like restored mangroves adapt, self-repair, and grow stronger. They provide superior flood defense, naturally cool our neighborhoods, and create inclusive spaces that deliver lasting health and economic benefits for all.” MGI holds the largest private GIS database, pioneering NbS for climate-resilient cities. Contact MGI:Phone: (876) 816-8791 / (876) 671-7001Email: info@monagis.com #MonaGIS #UNDP #Euroclima #NbS #ClimateAction #EbA 

The Mona GeoInformatics Institute (MGI) at The University of the West Indies, Mona, maintains a continuously updated geospatial database of flood and landslide events across Jamaica. The database was established through extensive archival research, including systematic reviews of the The Jamaica Gleaner, with documented events mapped as far back as the 1800s. Today, the system integrates both historical and real-time data to support hazard monitoring and risk analysis. Definition – Flood: A flood is the temporary overflow of water onto land that is normally dry, caused by intense rainfall, river overflow, storm surge, drainage failure, or other hydrological factors. Definition – Landslide:A landslide is the downward movement of soil, rock, or debris under gravity, often triggered by heavy rainfall, slope instability, erosion, earthquakes, or human activities. Each reported flood or landslide is geocoded by a trained geospatial analyst to the most precise location available, whether a specific address, roadway, hillside, river crossing, or community. Only credible and verifiable sources are used, including national newspapers, television and radio reports, vetted social media posts, government agencies, the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), the National Works Agency (NWA), and direct field observations from MGI staff. Special attention is given to mapping impacts following intense rainfall, flash floods, tropical depressions, and hurricanes to accurately capture hazard footprints. Mapped events are published via the MGI Natural Hazards Tracker (https://hazards-map.monagis.com/), providing a valuable decision-support tool for planners, developers, insurers, and government stakeholders. Flood and landslide datasets are available for purchase. MGI also maintains a database with other natural hazards such as hurricane pathways and earthquakes. Contact Us:Email: info@monagis.comPhone: (876) 816-8791 / (876) 671-7001Web: www.monagis.com #MGI #FloodMapping #LandslideMapping #NaturalHazards #DisasterRiskReduction #ClimateResilience #GIS #Jamaica

Jamaica began 2026 under unusually cool conditions. Between January and February, a series of cold fronts brought sharp temperature drops, gusty winds, and rainfall, with overnight lows ranging from 12°C to 21°C, especially in higher elevations. These systems originated over North America, where cold, dense air masses were pushed southward into the Caribbean. While conditions felt exceptional, temperatures never approached the 0°C (32°F) required for snow. Moreover, Jamaica’s infrastructure is not designed for freezing conditions, buildings lack insulation, and roads and utilities are not built to withstand ice or snow. Paradoxically, this cool start does not contradict climate change. In fact, climate change is increasing atmospheric instability. Scientists link recent extreme cold outbreaks in lower latitudes to disruptions in the polar vortex, allowing Arctic air to shift southward. This “weather whiplash” reflects a more volatile climate system. At the same time, global projections indicate an 86% chance that at least one year between 2026 and 2030 will exceed 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. For Jamaica, this means more intense summer heat, stronger hurricanes, heavier rainfall, longer droughts, sea-level rise, and coral reef loss. Summer 2026 is therefore expected to be extremely hot and humid, with higher heat index values and increased stress on water, energy, and public health systems. As a Small Island Developing State (SIDS), Jamaica is highly vulnerable to climate variability. Its small landmass, coastal concentration of infrastructure, and reliance on climate-sensitive sectors amplify risks. Critically, the country is not fully equipped to manage temperature extremes at either end, limited insulation for cold events and limited cooling infrastructure for extreme heat. The sharp contrast between early 2026’s chill and the coming summer heat underscores a new climate reality: greater variability, stronger extremes, and increasing pressure on Jamaica’s infrastructure and economy. Adaptation is no longer optional, it is urgent. MGI’s Executive Director, Luke Buchanan in response to recent questions, outlined that “As a Small Island Developing State, Jamaica is on the frontline of climate variability. The cold fronts earlier this year and the intense heat projected ahead are reminders that vulnerability is no longer theoretical. We must accelerate adaptation to safeguard our economy, our communities, and our future.” Contact Us:Email: info@monagis.comPhone: (876) 816-8791 / (876) 671-7001Web: www.monagis.com #JamaicaWeather #ClimateChangeJA #MGI #WeatherWhiplash #Jamaica2026 #ClimateAction #CaribbeanClimate #SIDS #UWI #JamaicaObserver #ExtremeWeather #ClimateAdaptation