Pablo Méndez-Lázaro, Odalys Martínez-Sánchez, Rafael Méndez-Tejeda, Ernesto Rodríguez, Ernesto Morales and Natalie Schmitt- Cortijo
A series of extreme climate events were observed in Puerto Rico during the summer of 2012, which included the month with the most 32.2°C days, the hottest month on record, as well as the longest streak >32.2°C+ days. The purpose of this research is, to outline the meteorological factors that came together to produce this unusual hot weather in Puerto Rico using the NCEO/NCAR reanalysis data as well as surface observations. The most important factors that contributed to the summer of 2012’s heat episode were a strong surface high-pressure area northeast of the local region that induced southeasterly winds and a broad mid to upper high pressure ridge extending from western Africa to the eastern Caribbean. These patterns have direct influence over temperature. Southeasterly winds tend to decrease minimum temperature in the north coast while maximum temperature increases in the same area. If these kinds of events become more prominent in the future, they may cause an imminent effect on society, human health, and the economy.
