Climate in the Caribbean

Reminder…..

• Climate: The average precipitation over a long period of time

• Weather: the day to day precipitation

Regions in the Caribbean

• There are 3 major regions in the Caribbean Islands– The Bahamas– Greater Antilles– Lesser Antilles

Environment

• The physical environment of the islands is ideal for tourism, offering both land and sea

• The climate from December to April are usually sunny, dry and warm.

• May to November it is more hot, humid and wet.

• They don’t have summer and winter like us but have more dry and wet seasons

Trade Winds

• Constant winds that blow from the east across the Atlantic, having a pleasant cooling effect.

• Most noticeable during the dry season.

Windward

• The side of a land mass that faces into a direct wind

• These coasts tend to be rocky, with stronger ocean currents rolling in.

Leeward

• The side of a land mass protected from wind• Most resorts tend to be located on these

protected sides away from the wind.

Storms

• Caribbean can experience violent storms in early fall.

• Hurricane-force winds can cause major destruction.

• Numbers of these storms are increasing and these can include hurricanes.

How does a hurricane form?

• Typically a weak low pressure system over warm tropical waters gets a collection of thunderstorms around its center. The storms help to intensify the central low and if wind conditions in the atmosphere are right the system can grow into a hurricane

Hurricane Intensities

Category 1• Winds between 119 and 154 km/h• Traffic signs twisted• Garden shrubs and shingled roofs damaged

Category 2• Winds between 155 and 178 km/h• Street signs damaged• Buildings receive roof and window damage• Low-flying areas flooded• Trailers destroyed.

Category 3• Winds between 179 and 210 km/h• Small buildings severely damaged• Flooding results from heavy rains and storm

surges• Small sailing vessels damaged

Category 4• Winds between 211 and 250km/h• Trees severely damaged• Buildings lose roods and windows• Significant damage to buildings with weak

structures eg. Mobile homes

Category 5• Winds greater than 251km/h• Small buildings destroyed• Emergency plans for large evacuation of

people within 80 km of storm path

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bG1wAS97KnY

Origins- Volcanoes

• Some Caribbean Islands are tops of Volcanoes -Martinique

-St Kitts-St Vincent

• These islands owe their start to Volcanic activity….movement of plate tectonics caused volcanic eruptions

• Not considered a major threat now

Martinique

St Kitts

St Vincent

Martinique 1902

• Most tragic eruptions happened St-Pierre, Martinique

• Total population: 28 600, only 2 people survived

• 800C explosive gas burned and chocked the population as it sped down from the peak faster than an express train

Scenic and Benefits

• Mountains and deep valleys of the volcanic islands add to their beauty

• Slopes often covered with crops or rainforests because of rich volcanic soils

Limestone Islands

• Islands such as Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao formed by accumulation of coral which transforms into limestone

• They are low lying islands and tend to be drier with less vegetation cover than volcanic ones

• Scarcity of water can create problems for both inhabitants and resort owners.

• Water-catchment devices are sometimes used to funnel rainwater from roofs into storage tanks.