Saint Kitts and Nevis Climate Change
Saint Kitts and Nevis Climate Background
[lwptoc]
Throughout the year, the weather in St. Kitts and Nevis is hot and humid. The climate of St. Kitts and Nevis, like that of most Caribbean islands, is highly impacted by the marine environment. In the summer, the average temperature is 26°C-28°C, and in the winter months of December to February, the average temperature is 24°C-25°C. Seasonal and diurnal temperature changes are minor, with temperatures dropping below 17°C only at higher elevations.
The islands of Saint Kitts and Nevis Climate have a wet season from July to December, with up to 150-250 mm of rain per month, and a dry season from January to April. The average annual precipitation on Nevis is roughly 1170 mm, however average rainfall in St. Kitts is highly linked to altitude.
The central mountain range of St. Kitts receives 2,500-4,000 mm of rain per year on average, whereas the coastline receives only 1,016 mm. Furthermore, the average annual precipitation on St. Kitts’ South-East Peninsula (SEP) varies from 990 mm at the highest points to 864 mm near Cockleshell Bay. During the hurricane season, which runs from June to November, low pressure systems and tropical disturbances move across the area.
Diversifying the agricultural sector by integrating non-traditional crops and animals is being attempted to boost food security and support rural people. Non-traditional crops, such as fruits, vegetables, and animals, may be badly harmed, according to predictions from both the CSIRO and HADCM2 models. Rising sea levels on Nevis will likely result in salinization of agricultural soils in lowland areas, and salinization of coastal aquifers will have a severe influence on the supply of water for agriculture on both islands.
The El Nio Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is closely linked to hurricane activity, with more occurrences occurring during La Nia episodes and fewer events occurring during El Nio episodes. Storms and hurricanes bring a lot of rain, which adds a lot to the rainfall totals during the rainy season.
Saint Kitts and Nevis Climate
Temperature
Since 1960, the average annual temperature has risen by roughly 0.5°C at a pace of 0.12°C each decade.
Warming was faster in the months of June-August and September-November, at 0.16°C per decade, compared to 0.08-0.10°C per decade in the months of December-February and March-May.
Daily observational data is insufficient to determine patterns in daily temperature extremes such as the frequency of “hot” and “cold” days and nights.
Precipitation
Saint Kitts and Nevis Climate Since 1960, the average rainfall on St. Kitts and Nevis has not changed significantly.
Saint Kitts and Nevis Disaster Risk Due to the Climate Change
Saint Kitts and Nevis Climate Change, the most dangerous natural disasters for St. Kitts and Nevis are cyclones and hurricanes (and the resulting storm surge), floods, and droughts. Due to the country’s location on the southern edge of the Atlantic hurricane belt, tropical cyclones are common in August, September, and October. As a result of climate change, hurricane frequency and strength may fluctuate, having social and economic effects across the country.
Saint Kitts and Nevis Disasters Affected
Agriculture Damaged
Saint Kitts and Nevis Climate Change,the agricultural sector’s contribution to gross domestic product has been dropping since the 1980s. Despite the fact that sugarcane agriculture had dominated the sector for over three centuries, worldwide competition, low global market prices, and rising production costs forced the government to shut down production in 2005.
Saint Kitts and Nevis Climate-related problems to agricultural output in the past and present have included unpredictability of rainfall, drought, and the devastating consequences of storms. Due to inadequate and variable rainfall and extended periods of drought, the most important factor limiting agricultural productivity in Nevis is moisture.
According to the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) model, sugarcane yields are likely to decline somewhat through 2100, and inter-annual fluctuations in rainfall are expected to be significant enough to negatively impact profitability.
The Hadley Centre Coupled Model Version 2 (HADCM2) model estimates are more catastrophic, meaning that sugarcane development will be restricted to irrigated management conditions, which would be impracticable owing to water scarcity. According to the model, by the second quarter of the century, climatic conditions will be too dry for rain-fed agriculture, with yields falling below economically viable levels.
Diversifying the agricultural sector by integrating non-traditional crops and animals is being attempted to boost food security and support rural people. Non-traditional crops, such as fruits, vegetables, and animals, may be badly harmed, according to predictions from both the CSIRO and HADCM2 models.
Rising sea levels on Nevis will likely result in salinization of agricultural soils in lowland areas, and salinization of coastal aquifers will have a severe influence on the supply of water for agriculture on both islands.
Hydrological Disasters
Because Saint Kitts and Nevis Climate,already receives much less rainfall than St. Kitts, its water supply is more vulnerable to the effects of climate change. Furthermore, there are no natural reservoirs on Nevis, and there are no large springs. Finally, water infiltration on the island is hampered by the presence of a layer of silica pan overlain by a layer of clayey soils. Both islands are increasingly depending on groundwater reserves to deliver drinkable water in recent years, owing to development constraints.
In light of this, and because surface water flows, such as those supplied by springs and ghauts, are very variable and insufficient to fulfill present demands for the majority of the year, adaptation measures should focus on groundwater conservation and pollution protection.
Costal disaster Risk
The planet’s systematic warming is directly driving global mean sea level to rise in two basic ways: (1) melting mountain glaciers and polar ice sheets are adding water to the ocean, and (2) warming of the ocean water causes expansion and therefore greater volume. Since 1880, the global mean sea level has risen roughly 210–240 millimeters (mm), with about a third of it occurring in the previous two and a half decades. The annual growth is currently around 3mm each year.
Natural variability in area winds and ocean currents causes regional fluctuations, which can last for days, months, or even decades.However, additional factors such as ground uplift (e.g., ongoing rebound from Ice Age glacier weight), changes in water tables owing to water extraction or other water management, and even the effects of local erosion can all play a role locally.
Rising sea levels put a strain on both the physical coastline and coastal ecosystems. Freshwater aquifers, which support municipal and agricultural water supplies as well as natural ecosystems, can be contaminated by saltwater incursions. Because there is a significant lag between attaining equilibrium and global temperatures continuing to rise, sea level will continue to rise for a long time.
The magnitude of the rise will be heavily influenced by future carbon dioxide emissions and global warming, and the speed of the rise may be progressively influenced by glacier and ice sheet melting.
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reference –Â UNDP, World bank climate