Despite a spike in rain showers last month, Barbados remains under a hydrological drought watch as meteorologists warn that the island’s water reserves have yet to rebound from months of below-average rainfall.
Senior Meteorologist Semelka Jackman confirmed to Barbados TODAY that while recent rainfall has provided a temporary reprieve, the overall environmental conditions necessitate caution. The current alert level is a direct result of a deficit in rainfall stretching back to late 2025.
“So basically right now we’re on a hydrological drought watch and we’re also saying to be aware for agricultural drought,” Jackman stated. “This is in connection with the current rainfall patterns, what has been happening on the ground in the last few months and what’s projected to happen throughout the remainder of the dry season.”
The meteorologist explained that the start of the current dry season was particularly taxing on the island’s water reserves. Following a below-average rainfall year in 2025, the months of December, January and February saw significantly lower than normal levels. This caused a noticeable decline in water levels within the island’s aquifers and surface water bodies used for irrigation.
However, the situation saw a surprising shift last month. March, historically the driest month for Barbados, recorded approximately double its usual rainfall.
“That did give us some kind of relief, which is why we are in a drought warning and only to be aware for the agricultural drought,” Jackman noted.
Despite the “March spike”, the Met Office warns that typical drought indicators remain present. These include falling water levels in aquifers, drying natural vegetation and the potential for soil cracking.
Looking ahead, the forecast suggests a gradual transition rather than a worsening crisis. Jackman indicated that an upgrade to a more severe drought warning is currently unlikely, as experts anticipate a steady increase in moisture throughout April and May as the island nears the start of the wet season in June.
“It is unlikely to change from a watch for us, taking into account our expectations for a gradual increase in rainfall amounts and especially going into that wet season period for us,” Jackman said. “We are forecasting for that drought watch to be decreased when we move into June.”
For agriculture, the advice remains centred on conservation and adaptation. Jackman urged farmers to pay close attention to the seasonal outlooks and coordinate with national authorities.
“Our messaging would be of course to take into account our forecast and our seasonal forecast, where you can expect that water levels might be decreased in water bodies that might be used for agricultural [purposes],” she advised. “Follow the recommendations by the Ministry of Agriculture and other agricultural bodies in relation to how to conserve water and how to reuse water going forward.”
