Extreme heatwaves across the Caribbean region are becoming ‘significantly more frequent, longer and severe’, a new study undertaken by researchers at the University at Albany has found.
The study, Climatology and Large-Scale Drivers of Extreme Heatwaves in the Caribbean: From 1971 to 2025, which was published in Geophysical Research Letters, saw climatologists examine more than five decades of climate data from the region, to track the evolution of heatwave events.
‘Particularly vulnerable’
“The Caribbean is particularly vulnerable to extreme heat events. Its tropical location receives intense sunlight, and reduced cloud cover during heatwaves allows more solar energy to reach the surface, driving higher temperatures,” commented Jorge González-Cruz, professor of empire innovation at UAlbany’s Atmospheric Sciences Research Center. “Our study provides important new insights for strengthening the region’s preparedness in a warming climate.”
As the study found, heatwaves are both occurring more often and lasting longer, particularly in Cuba, Haiti, Puerto Rico, and the Dominican Republic.
Cities and urban centres such as Havana, Santo Domingo, San Juan and Port-au-Prince have experienced some of the most significant changes, with recorded heatwaves increasing by up to three additional days per decade, and ‘real-feel’ temperatures rising above 115 degrees Fahrenheit.
Much of the increase can be attributed to rising global temperatures, with the El Niño effect, characterised by warmer-than-average sea surface temperatures, also playing a role.
‘Reshaping patterns’
“Climate change is not only warming the globe, but also reshaping patterns of extreme heat in highly vulnerable regions like the Caribbean,” added F.B. Oppong, doctoral student at UAlbany’s Atmospheric Sciences Research Center. “Our findings highlight a growing and immediate threat to public health and urgent need to improve preparedness for future extreme heat events.”
The researchers called for greater focus on heat preparedness and climate resilience measures, with González-Cruz noting that investments in “climate monitoring, heat mitigation strategies and community education” will be key to safeguarding the region in the future.
Other collaborators on the study included Sabrina Gozalez of UAlbany’s Atmospheric Sciences Research Center, Keneshia Hibbert of the CUNY Graduate Center and Pablo A. Méndez Lázaro of the University of Puerto Rico, Medical Sciences Campus. Read more here.
