The Dominican Republic was placed in the highest category of extreme heat risk, according to a special advisory issued by the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Climate Prediction Center, covering July 1 to 7. The warning comes amid an intense heat wave affecting several Caribbean countries.
High temperatures have been persistent over the last few weeks due to the combination of high humidity, the summer season, and the presence of Saharan dust. Last Monday, the Dominican Institute of Meteorology (Indomet) recorded the highest temperature of the year in the country, at 39.9 degrees Celsius at the Sabaneta weather station, Santiago Rodríguez province.
Given this scenario, the coordinator of the Simulation Laboratory at the Santo Domingo Institute of Technology (Intec), Pablo Smester, urged the population to stay well hydrated, avoid prolonged exposure to the sun, and reduce intense physical activities during the hottest hours. He also recommended wearing light clothing, using sunscreen, and staying in cool or air-conditioned places whenever possible.
The specialist warned that children, older adults, pregnant women, people with chronic illnesses, and those who work or practice sports outdoors are the most vulnerable groups. Furthermore, he explained that symptoms such as dizziness, weakness, and excessive sweating may indicate heat exhaustion, while a body temperature above 40 degrees Celsius, accompanied by confusion or loss of consciousness, constitutes heat stroke that requires immediate medical attention through the 9-1-1 System.
