While circulation changes are mostly responsible for changes in the average amount of precipitation, extremes are far more susceptible to the thermodynamic state and conditions on certain days. Extremes can only happen when numerous preconditions come together. Extreme rainfall, for instance, necessitates enhanced ("potential") moisture transport into the area, high temperatures (or strong temperature gradients), and severe atmospheric instability. It is comparatively uncommon for these "ingredients" to align. A combination occurrence can also be more likely if that one condition—higher temperatures—is met more frequently. The Clausius-Clapeyron Relationship states that for every 1 degree Celsius increase in air temperature, that air's capacity to carry moisture increases by 7%. This makes warmer temperatures particularly significant for precipitation. As a result, the warmer the air, the more moisture it can hold; as a result, if rain formed, much more water could be extracted from it.
The following are Puerto Rico's all-time extremes. On October 7th, 1985, the Toro Negro Forest received 23.75 inches of rainfall during a 24-hour period. The record-breaking high temperature was 104 degrees, which was recorded on Mona Island on July 2, 1996. On March 9th, 1911, Aibonito recorded the coldest temperature ever, which was 40 degrees.
Despite being susceptible to earthquakes, tsunamis, and wildfires, tropical storms and drought pose the greatest threat of disaster to Puerto Rico. Long-term drought affects cattle, agriculture, and water supplies while raising the danger of wildfires. Maria was the most powerful tropical storm to strike Puerto Rico since 1928. Extreme drought that affected much of the larger Caribbean region from 2014 to 2016 also affected Puerto Rico. In Puerto Rico, 2015 was the third driest year. Businesses were briefly shuttered, there were tight water restrictions in place, and crops and livestock were lost.
The wettest months in Puerto Rico are April through November, and the driest months are December through March. Because of the geography of the island, annual rainfall varies substantially from Magueyes Island's 29.32 inches to Pico del Este's 171.09 inches on average.
In September, Puerto Rico experienced its most recent heat wave, recording a record-breaking 47 nights with temperatures exceeding 80 degrees Fahrenheit. When asked if their classrooms had air conditioning during the heat wave, 83% of instructors responded that they did not.
https://climateknowledgeportal.worldbank.org/country/puerto-rico/extremes
https://www.weather.gov/sju/climo_extremes
https://www.climatehubs.usda.gov/hubs/caribbean/topic/disaster-preparedness-puerto-rico-and-us-virgin-islands#:~:text=Though%20vulnerable%20to%20earthquakes%2C%20tsunamis,%2C%20tropical%20storms%2C%20and%20drought.
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/rcna103923
Hi Kailani, great post as it good to know when not to visit. It looks like both our countries have issues with rain with potential flooding. It looks like you get hit by tropical storms where my country has a mixed season or wet and dry throughout the year with extreme heat and cold at certain times. So I know now if I go visit there, I'll be visiting in December or January! Thanks for the great information. Nikki
ReplyDeleteHi Kailani !
ReplyDeleteMy country also can suffer from extreme flooding but I've yet to learn if they deal with extreme heatwaves much like yours. Poland experiences a very wet season with large amounts of flooding. This week I took to identifying another extreme weather in my country, which was tornadoes! I didn't know that Poland dealt with tornadoes until I dove into this weeks material but due to the higher levels of precipitation in the atmosphere, it creates a stronger environment for tornadoes to form..
Very interesting; what measures/suggestions do they have in place for extreme weather?
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