Acting Director of Meteorology, Marshall Alexander, has announced that ocean temperatures continue to rise as the 2026 Atlantic Hurricane Season approaches. Speaking on the Disaster and You program aired on DBS Radio on Tuesday, Alexander described the warming seas as “fuel for the development of tropical systems.”
Alexander, who recently became the first Dominican to be appointed to act in the position of Director of Meteorology, explained that forecasts for the season are guided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which issues two outlooks annually—one at the end of May and another during the peak of the season in August.
“We have been seeing an increase in the sea surface temperatures over the years,” Alexander said. “Last year you would have heard of a record and this year another record, so you can clearly see that ocean temperatures are getting higher.”
Alexander noted that warmer waters are expected to contribute to more tropical storms and hurricanes. However, he emphasized that other atmospheric factors also play a role. He pointed to the presence of El Niño conditions this year, which he said could benefit Dominica by generating wind shear across the Atlantic.
“If a system develops, the wind shear will break up or disrupt the energy of the system,” he explained.
The 2026 Atlantic Hurricane Season officially begins on June 1 and runs through November 30.
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