An active tropical wave is nearing Trinidad and Tobago, with intervals of showers and isolated thunderstorms through the first half of Monday. However, most of the intense activity is forecast to remain to the north and east of the country.
What you need to know
— Rainfall: Through the next 48 hours, mainly from early Sunday morning, periodic rain, moderate to heavy showers, and isolated thunderstorms are forecast. Peak intense activity including isolated heavy to violent showers and intense thunderstorms are forecast to favor the late morning through afternoon hours on Sunday and again early Monday. Rainfall totals between 20-50 millimeters are forecast across the country, with higher rainfall totals exceeding 50 millimeters across localized areas of western coastal, southern, and eastern Trinidad and across Tobago.
— Hazards: Chances for street/flash flooding are high through Monday night. Chances for riverine flooding remain low at this time. Gusty winds, in excess of 55 KM/H accompanying heavy showers or thunderstorms are likely. Lightning will accompany thunderstorms.
— Alerts/Watches/Warnings: An Adverse Weather Alert (Yellow Level) is in effect for Trinidad and Tobago from 8:00 AM Sunday, June 26th, 2022 through 10:00 AM Monday, June 27th, 2022 from the Trinidad and Tobago Meteorological Service. There are no tropical storm or hurricane watches or warnings in effect for T&T at this time.
The Adverse Weather Alert
The Trinidad and Tobago Meteorological Service has issued an Adverse Weather Alert (Yellow Level) on Saturday afternoon at 4:17 PM. The alert goes into effect at 8:00 AM Sunday, June 26th, 2022 through 10:00 AM Monday, June 27th, 2022.
Trinidad and Tobago is not under any tropical storm watch or warning at this time.
“An intense area of instability and moisture is ahead of the axis of an approaching tropical wave. This will affect the islands with cloudy skies, prolonged periods of rainfall, and occasional thunderstorms which can result in rainfall accumulation in excess of 25mm and gusty winds in excess of 55 km/h. Possible impacts include street flooding which can cause minor traffic disruptions. Ponding is possible in low-lying areas. Loose items can become displaced by strong winds. Electrical discharges are possible during thunderstorms. Note as well, low-lying coastal areas may have slower runoff during high tide due to the occurrence of Spring Tides,” according to the Trinidad and Tobago Meteorological Service. This “alert” status takes into account the possibility of the event occurring. This adverse weather event is likely.
The color of the alert indicates the severity of the event and the probability of the event occurring. Currently, the alert level is Yellow. This means that the hazards are likely, but the severity of impacts is moderate for this particular alert. You should be aware of the hazards in your area associated mainly with gusty winds in excess of 55 KM/H, street, and flash flooding as well as frequent lightning.
For a moderate Adverse Weather Alert, there is the potential for possible injuries, where behavioral changes are required to ensure safety. There may be minor damage to property, with income-earning temporarily disrupted and a couple of communities affected.
The Met Office is advising the public to be alert for cloud-to-ground lightning activity and not venture into floodwaters, secure loose objects outdoors as well as monitor weather conditions and updates from official sources.
Small craft operators should be on the alert for above-normal or choppy sea conditions in strong winds.
