Antigua and Barbuda faces a greater than 80 percent chance of experiencing extreme drought conditions through July, with residents being urged to conserve water as meaningful rainfall remains unlikely in the near term.

The warning came Tuesday from meteorologist Leonard Josiah, who said data from the Antigua and Barbuda Meteorological Service indicates the country is entering a period of exceptionally dry weather.

“We have a greater than 80 percent chance that between the month of May right down to July we’re going to be in what you call extreme drought,” Josiah said during the evening weather forecast.

He explained that the forecast places the country just one category away from the most severe drought conditions measured by forecasters.

“Meaning that we are going to be in really some dry conditions, exceptionally dry,” he said.

The warning comes as much of the Eastern Caribbean continues to experience below-average rainfall, with Antigua and Barbuda seeing few opportunities for significant precipitation in recent weeks.

Josiah urged residents to take steps now to preserve available water supplies.

“You should need to conserve a lot of the water. Do what you can to conserve and harvest the water,” he advised.

While a weak trough and patches of moisture are expected to move through the area during the week, forecasters say rainfall amounts are likely to be limited.

“There will be no more than just a sprinkle,” Josiah said, noting that atmospheric moisture levels remain too low to support widespread showers.

The forecast calls for only a slight chance of passing showers through the remainder of the work week, with the best opportunity for measurable rainfall expected on Sunday when a tropical wave is forecast to enter the region.

Even then, meteorologists are cautioning that drought conditions are expected to persist.

“A few light showers are possible, but the drought conditions will continue,” Josiah said.

The warning comes as regional weather officials continue to monitor developing drought conditions across several Caribbean islands, raising concerns about water storage, agriculture and overall water security heading into the heart of the hurricane season.