The Met Service has officially declared the start of the 2025 Dry Season.

The Dry Season occurs once the TTMS observes the following:

• The intensification and equatorward migration of the North Atlantic Sub-Tropical High Pressure cell.
• Strengthened Trade-wind inversion (west Africa, central tropical Atlantic and eastern Caribbean).
• Upper-Level Westerly winds.
• Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) in its southernmost position across the tropical Atlantic Ocean.

The TTMS says at this time, the atmosphere over the region has transitioned to its drier state following a gradual transition from the Wet into the Dry Season.

It adds that while the Season experiences significantly reduced rainfall amounts as compared to the Wet Season, it is not devoid of rain.

Initial wetter and warmer than usual conditions in January, February and March may result in less vegetative stress due to relatively less surface dryness, a positive impact on surface and groundwater recharge and stream flow rates, and a decrease in the potential for bush, forest and landfill fires especially during January to March.

However, as the Dry Season progresses April through May, the TTMS warns of an increased probability for Saharan dust-haze events and increased potential for fires, which will contribute to a reduction in air quality.