The Role of GIS in Strengthening Agriculture and Climate Resilience in Jamaica

The 2026 Atlantic Hurricane Season officially runs from June 1 to November 30, with the most active period typically occurring between August and October. During this time, tropical storms and hurricanes form over the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, and Gulf of Mexico, often bringing heavy rainfall, flooding, landslides, and damaging winds across the Caribbean region. Early climate outlooks suggest that large-scale climate patterns may shape the 2026 season, particularly the potential transition toward El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) conditions in the Pacific Ocean. When El Niño develops, it typically increases vertical wind shear over the Atlantic, which can reduce the likelihood of storm formation or intensification. However, even during El Niño years, major hurricanes can still develop, especially when sea surface temperatures across the Atlantic remain unusually warm. 2026 Tropical Cyclone Names Each Atlantic hurricane season follows a pre-established list of storm names maintained by the World Meteorological Organization. For the 2026 season, the list includes 21 rotating names that are assigned sequentially to tropical storms as they form. The full list of names for the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season is: Arthur, Bertha, and Cristobal. Other names in the 2026 list include Fay, Gonzalo, Hanna, Isaias, Josephine, Kyle, Leah, Marco, Nana, Omar, Paulette, Rene, Sally, Teddy, Vicky, and Wilfred. These names repeat every six years unless a storm becomes particularly destructive, in which case the name is retired and replaced. Understanding the Risk in Jamaica Jamaica’s geographic location places it directly within the Atlantic hurricane belt, making the island particularly vulnerable to tropical storms and hurricanes. Major storms such as Hurricane Charlie, Hurricane Gilbert, Hurricane Ivan, Hurricane Dean, Hurricane Sandy, and Hurricane Beryl have caused widespread damage to homes, infrastructure, and agriculture across the island. Beyond strong winds, hurricanes frequently trigger secondary hazards, including: These impacts are especially severe in Jamaica’s steep terrain where intense rainfall can rapidly destabilize slopes and watersheds. A Data-Driven Approach to Preparedness At the Mona GeoInformatics Institute (MGI), at The University of the West Indies Mona Campus, we are committed to using geospatial technology to improve disaster preparedness and risk awareness across Jamaica. Residents, planners, and emergency responders can use the MGI Natural Hazards Dashboard to explore historical patterns of flooding and landslides across the island. The platform allows users to visualize hazard occurrences by parish and decade, helping communities better understand long-term risk patterns and exposure. 👉 Explore the Natural Hazards Dashboard:https://hazards-map.monagis.com/ Expert Insight According to Luke Buchanan, Executive Director at Mona Geoinformatics Institute on the The University of the West Indies, Mona Campus: “The 2026 Atlantic Hurricane Season will continue to be influenced by major ocean–atmosphere interactions, including the potential development of El Niño conditions in the Pacific Ocean. While El Niño can increase vertical wind shear across the Atlantic and sometimes suppress storm formation, Jamaica and the wider Caribbean can still experience significant tropical cyclone impacts, particularly as Atlantic sea surface temperatures remain unusually warm. These conditions can contribute to intense rainfall, flash flooding, landslides, and rapid storm intensification. This reinforces the importance of preparedness, climate monitoring, and geospatial hazard analysis for small island states like Jamaica.” El Niño conditions are often associated with drier-than-normal weather across Jamaica and parts of the Caribbean. During an El Niño event, rainfall can decrease significantly, leading to prolonged dry periods, drought conditions, reduced river flows, and declining water levels in reservoirs and catchment areas. These impacts can contribute to water shortages affecting households, agriculture, and hydroelectric generation, while also increasing the risk of bush fires, heat stress, and reduced agricultural productivity. For small island states like Jamaica, strong drought preparedness and water resource management become especially important during El Niño periods. Stay Prepared This Hurricane Season Here is a list of Hurricane Tips from MGI: https://main.monagis.com/tropical-storm-melissa-looms-hurricane-tips-from-mgi/ Preparing early can significantly reduce risk during hurricane season. Consider the following steps: Building a Resilient Jamaica The increasing intensity of tropical storms highlights the need for data-driven decision-making and community awareness. By combining scientific forecasting with geospatial analysis, Jamaica can continue strengthening its disaster preparedness and resilience. Stay informed. Stay safe. Build a resilient Jamaica. Contact us for more information:Email: info@monagis.comWeb: www.monagis.comLinktree: linktr.ee/mgimonaPhone: 876-816-8791 / 876-671-7001 #HurricaneSeason2026 #NaturalHazards #Jamaica #FloodPreparedness #LandslideAwareness #MGI #MonaGIS #DisasterPreparedness #GISforGood #StaySafeJA #ClimateResilience #Flooding #Landslides #MonaGIS #GISinJamaica #GISJamaica #GeoAI #ClimateResilienceJamaica

At the Mona Geoinformatics Institute (MGI), our commitment to building a stronger future goes beyond data and research, it’s about investing directly in the next generation. We were absolutely delighted to participate in the recent Career Day and Boy’s Day at August Town Primary School. This inspiring initiative was dedicated to mentoring and uplifting young men, giving us the perfect platform to show them how passion and technology can turn into an exciting career pathway.  To introduce the students to the fields of geography and advanced technology, the MGI team conducted an interactive session focused on Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (Drones). Rather than a traditional lecture, the session utilized an experiential learning approach. Students had the opportunity to engage in hands-on interactions with drone components, learn the fundamentals of aerial mapping, and test their knowledge through a series of questions.  By showing these students the power of geospatial tech on their Career Day, we hope to spark an early passion for science and innovation, equipping the future leaders of our communities with the confidence and vision to build a brighter tomorrow.  We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the faculty, staff, and students of August Town Primary School for such an incredible welcome. MGI remains deeply committed to bridging the gap between advanced science and grassroots community development as we work toward empowering Jamaica’s youth!  Contact us for more information:Email: info@monagis.comWeb: www.monagis.comLinktree: linktr.ee/mgimonaPhone: 876-816-8791 / 876-671-7001 #GISinJamaica #YouthInnovation #Drone #MGI #MonaUAV #ChildMonthJA #YouthEmpowerment #DJI 

Over the past few weeks at MGI, we have been advancing work on the Scoping of Nature-based Solutions (NbS) Pilot for the Euroclima Project, under the Jamaica Country Action Plan. We were pleased to welcome our long-standing colleague and NbS expert, Dr. David Oswald of DE Design + Environment Inc., who joined us in Jamaica this April 2026 for hands-on stakeholder consultations. Our collaboration with David spans over a decade, and his input continues to be invaluable. During April 2026, the MGI and DE Design consultancy team carried out full field missions along the Kingston Waterfront corridor, from Riverton City (Callaloo Mews) in the west to Harbour View and Port Royal in the east. This critical exercise supported an evidence-based approach to identifying and refining a high-impact pilot intervention. We also engaged in a series of high-level institutional stakeholder consultations with key government agencies, strengthening alignment and implementation pathways for urban resilience. We embrace this collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the European Union (EU) in helping to advance efforts to secure a more resilient future for Kingston. The work is focused on strengthening urban climate resilience in Kingston through strategic Nature-based Solutions and urban forestry, aligned with Jamaica’s Vision 2030 and Euroclima objectives. We continue to refine the methodology, stakeholder insights, and pilot design framework as we move toward implementation pathways for Kingston’s urban future. Contact us for more information:Email: info@monagis.comWeb: www.monagis.comPhone: (876) 816-8791 / (876) 671-7001 #NatureBasedSolutions #UrbanResilience #KingstonJamaica #ClimateAction #Euroclima #SustainableCities #GISinJamaica

Transforming Business Strategy with GIS: The MGI Way In the modern marketplace, GIS is no longer a “nice to have” technology; it is a cornerstone of modern problem-solving. As the premier advanced-GIS provider in Jamaica since 2004, the Mona GeoInformatics Institute (MGI) has transitioned from a University hub to a vital engine for regional business expansion. Precision in Growth and Expansion MGI specializes in converting complex spatial data into increased revenue. Whether you are in Retail, BFSI (Banking/Insurance), Telecommunications, or Energy, our services, ranging from Site Suitability Analysis to Competitor Analysis, ensure your next move is backed by data. By utilizing Desktop Geocoding and GPS field mapping, we help businesses identify the “where” and “why” of customer behavior. For logistics and food delivery services, efficiency is everything. MGI’s JAMNAV (Jamaica’s premier and most comprehensive geospatial database) and our custom Web Mapping Services allow companies to optimize delivery zones, reduce fuel costs, and enhance fleet management. The UAV and GeoAI Revolution Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) have revolutionized our portfolio. Beyond simple imagery, our Drone Services and Training provide high-resolution data for infrastructure planning and environmental modeling. To ensure the region stays competitive, we offer GIS Training and Camps, empowering professionals to build their own business analysis tools. We are now entering the “Intelligence Age” by integrating GeoAI. MGI develops geospatial-based intelligent web tools that process massive datasets to provide predictive insights for decision-makers. “AI changes how we think, create, and decide, transforming the cognitive processes of work,” says Mr. Luke Buchanan, Executive Director of MGI. “We are moving from a passive ‘information age’ to an active ‘intelligence age.’ In the age of AI, geospatial technologies allow us to consider larger datasets in a faster, more efficient way, fundamentally shifting how we make impactful decisions.” Leading the Caribbean into the Future From Social Surveys to 3D Visualization, MGI remains at the forefront of Caribbean R&D. Our specialized training programs serve everyone from novices to experts, ensuring that as datasets grow, the human capacity to analyze them grows as well. At its core, GIS is about more than mapping; it is about understanding connections, patterns, and possibilities. MGI is committed to adopting the latest technologies to ensure our clients are not just reacting to the market, but shaping the careers and industries of tomorrow. Contact Information Mona GeoInformatics Institute (MGI), The University of the West Indies, Mona Campus, Kingston 7, Jamaica #GIS #BusinessIntelligence #GeoAI #MGI #JamaicaTech #SpatialAnalysis #UAV #DigitalTransformation #DataScience #LogisticsOptimization Phone: (876) 816-8791 / (876) 671-7001Email: info@monagis.comWebsite: www.monagis.com