State of the Climate in Cuba 2019

Abstract

This report presents a description of the state of the climate in Cuba during 2019 based on the analysis of different climatic variables, as well as some factors that regulate climate variability in the Caribbean region and Cuba. The 2019 mean annual temperature (MAT) was the highest since 1951, reaching an anomaly value of 1.1 ° C with respect to the 1961-1990 reference period. The MAT for the most recent decade (2010-2019) was also the highest compared with previous ones. The year 2019 can be classified as the warmest year ever recorded having a strong contribution to reaffirm the trend of increasing MAT in Cuba. Correspondingly, new maximum temperature records were registered in 33 meteorological stations across Cuba with a new national record of 39.1° C that was reported in the meteorological of Veguitas in June 30. The most relevant weather event was the tornado of January 27 which affects La Havana province. The tornado was classified as an EF4, according to the improved Fujita Pearson scale. This system was preceded by an active squall-line associated with a cold front that crossed over western Cuba during the night of January 27. During the pass of the pre-frontal system, there were heavy rains and severe weather events.