The Dominican Republic is currently facing an unprecedented extreme heat event that has pushed thermometers across much of the nation into dangerous territory, according to official updates from the Dominican Institute of Meteorology (Indomet). Across multiple provinces, maximum daily temperatures have surged to between 35°C and 40°C, driven by a rare confluence of overlapping climate factors that are amplifying summer heat to unusual levels.
Meteorologists at Indomet have identified four key contributors to this brutal heatwave: persistent hot east-southeast trade winds, a thick plume of Saharan dust drifting across the Atlantic, a stable high-pressure system parked over the ocean, and the ongoing warming influence of the El Niño climate pattern. These factors have combined to trap heat across the island nation, creating conditions far hotter than the average summer for this time of year.
The most extreme conditions have been recorded in Sabaneta, a city located in the Santiago Rodríguez province, where the mercury hit a blistering 40°C — the highest mark registered nationwide so far. Neighboring regions have not escaped the swelter: Valverde, the province of Santiago, and Jimaní all recorded high temperatures of 38°C, while Barahona saw thermometers reach 36°C. In the country’s populous capital region, Greater Santo Domingo, forecasters project peak temperatures will reach 34°C.
Even more concerning than raw air temperatures is the projected heat index — a measure that combines temperature and humidity to reflect how hot conditions actually feel to the human body. Indomet has issued a special warning that the heat index could climb as high as 46°C in both Sabaneta and Dajabón, even though forecast air temperatures in those areas top out at 39°C. Heat indexes at this level raise the risk of heat-related illnesses such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke for people who spend extended time outdoors.
Looking ahead through the rest of the warm season, the meteorological agency warns that above-average temperatures are likely to persist across the entire Caribbean basin through July, August, and September. In addition to the short-term climate drivers behind the current heatwave, Indomet notes that long-term climate change is reinforcing these extreme conditions, making intense summer heatwaves more frequent and more severe. The agency has issued a public appeal for all residents to take proactive precautions, including limiting prolonged exposure to direct sun, staying hydrated, and checking on vulnerable community members such as the elderly and unhoused populations, to avoid preventable heat-related health emergencies.