2023 Caribbean heat wave explained

The 2023 Caribbean heat wave was one of the heat waves in the series of the 2023 heat waves. It was an intense weather event characterized by prolonged record-breaking temperatures affecting the Caribbean, South Florida, and the Gulf of Mexico.^{[1] [2]}

History

On June 6, 2023, a high-pressure system from east of Puerto Rico combined with dust from the Sahara, increased humidity, and record-breaking Atlantic temperatures (likely exacerbated by climate change)^[3] to form a heat dome, which drove the local heat index to historic highs.^{[4] [5]}

In early June 2023, a LUMA Energy power plant failed during high demand, causing a power outage that affected over 100,000 people in Puerto Rico. LUMA Energy urged customers to conserve energy, and most of the service was restored by June 7.^[6]

Statistics

The heat index surpassed in some areas, with extremes of in northern Puerto Rico.^[7] High temperatures continued overnight. San Juan set a record-high minimum of for three consecutive nights. Additionally, the island of Saba reported a record, and Aruba reported . Sea temperatures also reached record levels in areas over the Atlantic Ocean. On June 7, an excessive heat warning was issued for north-central Puerto Rico and a heat advisory in other areas.^[8]

Notes and References

1. Web site: NOAA . Researchers . 14 July 2023 . The ongoing marine heat waves in U.S. waters, explained . NOAA.
2. Web site: Ewing-Chow . Daphne . Rampant Heatwaves Are A Growing Threat To Caribbean Food Security . 2023-10-24 . Forbes . en.
3. News: Sengupta . Somini . 2023-06-08 . Record Pollution and Heat Herald a Season of Climate Extremes . en-US . The New York Times . 2023-06-09 . 0362-4331.
4. Web site: 2023-06-07 . 125 degrees? Puerto Rico faces 'dangerous situation' with record . 2023-06-09 . NBC News . en.
5. News: Sengupta . Somini . 2023-06-08 . Record Pollution and Heat Herald a Season of Climate Extremes . en-US . The New York Times . 2023-10-24 . 0362-4331.
6. Web site: Mazzi . Patricia . 19 October 2021 . ‘Why Don’t We Have Electricity?’: Outages Plague Puerto Rico . live . https://archive.today/20220703031637/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/10/19/us/puerto-rico-electricity-protest.html . 3 July 2022 . the New York Times.
7. News: Stillman . Dan . 2023-06-07 . Historic heat is roasting Puerto Rico, where it feels like 125 degrees . . 2023-06-09.
8. Web site: 2023-08-07 . Latin America & The Caribbean Weekly Situation Update (As of 7 August 2023) - Guatemala ReliefWeb . 2023-10-24 . reliefweb.int . en.