Meteorological analyst Jean Suriel reported for Hoy that the sweltering heat felt in the Dominican Republic since Friday, 28 April 2023 is a sampling of the high temperatures the country will experience from July to October.
This is the time of the year when the northern hemisphere in planet Earth is tilted toward the sun and receives the most direct sunlight. Yet, Jean Suriel explained that there is also the thermal sensation, whereby humans feel hot or cold, that makes people feel hotter than what the temperature registers. How people feel the ambient temperature depends on the humidity content. Suriel says humidity has hovered around a high 70% over the past 48 hours.
“For example, even when the actual temperature is 32°C, a thermal sensation of 39°C could be registered, as happened on Sunday in Santo Domingo,” he said on his Twitter account.
He says winds are blowing from the southeast or south, driving more humidity from the Caribbean Sea and increasing the hot feeling. The sun, of course, as summer prepares to start, is now strong from 9am to 5pm.
“The period with extreme temperatures in the Dominican Republic extends from 15 August 1to 15 October, for two months; but in general, it’s hot from mid-April to mid-November,” he said.
He forecast an increase of rain in May.
Read more in Spanish:
Hoy
Jean Suriel
3 May 2023