MGI’s New Year Message

A cold front is a boundary zone where a cold air mass advances into and undercuts a warmer air mass, typically producing a sharp temperature decrease, wind shift, and often precipitation along or ahead of the frontal surface. Climate change refers to the long-term alteration of global and regional climate patterns, primarily driven by human activities that increase greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. These gases trap heat, raising the average global temperature. While it may seem counterintuitive, climate change is a primary driver behind both record-breaking heat and the sudden, extreme cold waves currently impacting regions like Florida. Florida has also been experiencing an An Arctic outbreak which is a short-lived weather phenomenon in which extremely cold, dense air originating in the high Arctic is displaced southward. Scientists attribute this “weather whiplash” to the destabilization of the polar vortex, a massive area of cold air and low pressure traditionally confined to the Arctic by the jet stream. As the Center for Disaster Philanthropy notes, “Climate change is directly responsible for extreme cold events in moderate latitudes… warming temperatures are disrupting the polar vortex and pushing extensive cold air into non-traditional areas such as the Caribbean. This phenomenon is vividly on display in February 2026, as Florida faces historic freezes that have shattered decades-old records, with temperatures in cities like Fort Pierce dropping to -5°C (23°F). Climate change does not just mean “global warming,” but rather a fundamental shift toward more frequent and severe atmospheric volatility. Jamaica and the Caribbean Since the start of 2026, Jamaica has been affected by a series of cold fronts and associated cool weather systems, as reported by Meteorological Service of Jamaica. Significantly cooler temperatures have been recorded on the island, with overnight lows ranging from approximately 12°C to 21°C, particularly in higher elevations and rural areas. Cold fronts that affect the Caribbean typically originate over the North American continent during the Northern Hemisphere winter, where cold, dense air masses form and are propelled southward by strong high-pressure systems. These air masses often develop over the interior and southwestern regions of the United States, before advancing southeastward across the Gulf of Mexico and into the Caribbean basin. Despite the relatively cool conditions at the start of 2026, Jamaica is expected to experience extremely hot and humid summer temperatures this year. Global climate projections indicate that temperatures will remain at or near record levels over the next five years (2026 – 2030), increasing climate-related risks and impacts on societies, economies, and sustainable development, according to a recent report from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). As the climate crisis persists, we can expect more frequent and intense temperature extremes, prolonged heat during summer months and harsher cold during winter months, particularly in regions with traditionally colder and more temperate climates. Contact Us:Web: www.monagis.comEmail: info@monagis.comPhone: (876) 816-8791 / (876) 671-7001Socials: @mgimona #JamaicaColdFront #WeatherWhiplash #CaribbeanClimate #ArcticOutbreak #ClimateActionJA #ColdFront

The MonaUAV team of the Mona GeoInformatics Institute (MGI) at The University of the West Indies, Mona continues its national programme to map critical energy infrastructure across Jamaica using advanced drone technology. Between December 2025 and January 2026, significant progress was made in mapping electric transmission lines in the parishes of Portland and St. James. These drone mapping operations support the grid operator in identifying and mitigating risks associated with vegetation encroachment on power lines, poles, and related infrastructure. Unmanaged vegetation increases the likelihood of outages, safety hazards, infrastructure damage, and economic losses, risks that are significantly amplified during hurricanes such as Hurricane Melisa, when high winds can cause vegetation to collapse onto the grid. Drone-based data collection offers a safe, efficient means of acquiring high-resolution, up-to-date information that is often not achievable through ground-based methods, particularly in constrained or sensitive environments. This initiative is being executed by MGI in collaboration with an international infrastructure management company based in Silicon Valley, California, bringing world-class expertise to Jamaica. All MGI drone operations are conducted in full compliance with permits and approvals issued by the Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority (JCAA), with strict protocols in place to ensure aviation safety and protect people, property, and critical infrastructure. While collecting drone data in the field, the team always takes time to engage with local children, while showing them how the drones work and inspiring the next generation. The use of drones has significantly improved efficiency, speed, and coverage, while reducing costs and enhancing safety for field personnel. Through advanced data collection techniques, drones are transforming energy asset mapping into a faster, safer, and more cost-effective process. MGI’s expert drone team stands ready to deliver professional aerial mapping, imaging, 3D modelling, and geospatial analysis tailored to your project needs. Visit our website at www.monagis.com for more information. Contact MGI:Email: info@monainformatixltd.comWeb: www.monagis.comPhone: (876) 816-8791 / (876) 671-7001WhatsApp: (876) 816-8791Instagram DM: @mgimona #Drones #GIS #EnergyInfrastructure #LiDAR #UAV #RemoteSensing #SmartGrid #DroneTechnology #DigitalTwins #GeospatialTechnology #DisasterResponse #PredictiveMaintenance #Jamaica #Mapping

Welcome to 2026 – Happy New Year from MGI! As we welcome 2026, the Mona GeoInformatics Institute (MGI) at The University of the West Indies, Mona Campus, extends our sincere appreciation to our partners, clients, and dedicated team for your continued support throughout a challenging yet highly impactful 2025.  Despite economic pressures and the significant effects of Hurricane Melissa, our resilience, adaptability, and shared commitment enabled meaningful progress during the past year. We carry this momentum forward with renewed energy and purpose as we step into 2026. Guided by a leadership approach rooted in trust, shared responsibility, and collaboration, MGI remains focused on innovation and delivering real-world impact. In the year ahead, we look forward to executing bold ideas, strengthening partnerships across UWI and beyond, expanding our international reach while deepening our foundation in Jamaica, and advancing key services including GIS and auto-address mapping, climate change analysis, remote sensing, mobile data collection, training, and turnkey geospatial solutions. Thank you for being part of our journey. Together, we are well positioned to achieve even greater milestones in the year ahead. If you would like MGI to support a project or help bring an idea to life, simply Google “Help me MGI or Help me MonaGIS” and we will be happy to assist. Contact MGI:Web: www.monagis.comEmail: info@monainformatixltd.comPhone: (876) 977-3161 / (876) 977-3162Socials: @mgimona #MGI #MonaGIS #UWI #Geospatial #GIS #Innovation #ClimateResilience #DigitalTransformation #DroneTechnology #RemoteSensing #DataDriven #CaribbeanTech #Jamaica #NewYear2026

Hurricane impact describes the range of effects produced by the storm system, including high winds, storm surge, groundwater flooding, and heavy rainfall. Damage, by contrast, refers to the resulting physical destruction caused by these hazards, such as roof loss, structural failure, interior flooding, and broken windows. It is important to emphasize that the attached map illustrates impact, not damage. It represents one of the most critical macro-scale products released following the passage of Hurricane Melissa in October 2025. This map has been instrumental in disaster-response planning and in improving situational awareness. In addition, Mona GeoInformatics Institute (MGI) can provide the following value-added datasets and analyses: Hurricane data used in this model were sourced from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) hurricane pathways database. Contact MGI:Email: info@monainformatixltd.comWeb: www.monagis.comPhone: (876) 977-3161Instagram DM: @mgimona #HurricaneSeason2025 #HurricaneMelissa #ClimateChange #CaribbeanResilience #DisasterPreparedness #MGI