HAVANA, Cuba.- The Climate Center of the Cuban Institute of Meteorology forecasts that as in the last ten days of July, the intense heat conditions will be a constant in August, traditionally the warmest month in the Cuban archipelago.

According to the forecast, during this month is expected the occurrence of maximum temperatures near or above normal in all three Cuban regions, while the minimum values will be higher than usual.

Also, the forecast suggests that in general it should be recorded rainfall near or above historical averages in the West, Central and East, according to an article published today in Granma newspaper.

If the rains are frequent and abundant, this could be a mitigating factor in the expected heat, because this condition usually accrue when you go several days without rainfall, coupled with the strong solar radiation, weak winds and high relative humidity.

It should be recalled that the national record heat is 38.8 degrees Celsius (101.8 Farenheit), in what may be surprise of many readers, it was established in Jucarito town in the eastern province of Granma, on April 17, 1999.

The former highest temperature was 38.6 Celcius (101.4 F), and it was recorded at the Guantanamo airport on August 7, 1969.