Climate Change Indicators for the Caribbean Region: General Trends in Temperature and Precipitation (1900–2009)

It is important to evaluate how the climate has varied and changed in the past. Mean historical temperature and precipitation data can be mapped to show the baseline climate and seasonality by month for specific years. The information presented shows mean historical monthly temperature and precipitation data from 1900 to 2009 for the countries that comprise the Wider Caribbean Region. Average temperatures in the region ranged from 20 to 26.6ºC. The mean historical monthly temperatures over a period of 19 years (1990 to 2009) indicated an increase in average temperatures for all of the countries studied. On average, rainfall increased in the region over the last 20 years of the study period. An increase in both the dry and rainy seasons was also observed; since most of the increase occurred during the dry season, this suggests the possibility of a shift in rain patterns. These trends will assist in the interpretation of climate change and the occurrence of global warming in the region.