Scattered to numerous showers and scattered thunderstorms have occurred over Hispaniola during the past week. Slow moving frontal systems draped over Hispaniola and a tropical wave recently caused heavy rainfall that led to wide spread flooding over the northern Dominican Republic. Over 20,000 people have been displaced from their homes and at least five deaths have been reported. A broad area of low pressure (90L) in the southwestern Caribbean is also being monitored for possible tropical cyclone development by the National Hurricane Center (NHC). Very warm sea surface temperatures and upper level winds are expected to provide favorable conditions for tropical cyclone development in that area.

NASA's Integrated Multi-satellite Retrievals for GPM (IMERG) were used to estimate totals for rainfall that fell over the Dominican Republic during the period from November 8 - 15, 2016. IMERG data indicates that rainfall totals of greater than 230 mm (9 inches) fell over the northeastern Dominican Republic during this period. Estimates of real-time IMERG rainfall totals have been adjusted to reflect observed values in similar extreme events.