The National Weather Office (Onamet) forecasts rains are on the way as a trough crosses the country. Onamet says the rains will bring relief from the hot temperatures that are made worse by the passing Sahara Dust phenomenon.
The Dominican Republic is, by definition, a tropical nation. As such, it gets quite warm and we are now approaching the summer solstice in less than a month (21 June).
Hoy newspaper shares tips for dealing with the heat. First, stay hydrated. Water is the preferred beverage. Ice cream popsicles are a reasonable source of water, and they have some interesting flavor.
Drinking alcohol does not count. If alcoholic beverages are being consumed, it is good to note that normal amounts of water should also be taken in order to avoid dehydration.
You should never really wait to be thirsty. Most people require about three liters of water a day, but a bit more is needed with high temps. Another thing to remember is to increase your liquids if you are engaged in any physical activity, even if it is swimming, walking a beach or just gardening.
Although it might be difficult in a nation with so much good food, it is highly recommended to avoid heavy foods and turn to fruits and veggies instead.
Clothes should be light in color and texture, and preferably made of cotton.
Hats are a definite plus during the daytime, as are sunglasses.
An old Noel Coward song says, “Mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the midday sun,” indicating to us that the best advice is to avoid those hours between 11am and 4pm. Finally, a cool shower is recommended. Do take care.
Read more in Spanish:
Hoy
El Caribe
National Weather Office
https://onamet.gob.do/
23 May 2022