The main purpose of the paper is to present information aimed at increasing the workshop participants’ awareness of the impact of climate change on design wind speeds.

The paper is also intended to provide information that would enhance the participants’ knowledge of engineering guidelines for incorporating climate change into the determination of wind forces on buildings and other structures in Saint Lucia. Therefore, the paper places into perspective the specific studies undertaken with regard to the implications of climate change for hurricane wind speeds for Saint Lucia. More specifically, the paper defines and presents the issue of climate change.

It also provides a historical background of wind design in the Caribbean; discusses and highlights information from two studies and provides a guide to the engineering use of this information. However, the paper should not be considered as a training document in the use of building codes for wind analysis and design.