Heavy showers and thunderstorms have affected Trinidad and Tobago over the last nine hours associated with an active Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) ahead of Tropical Wave 19. This tropical wave is set to cross the region overnight. Additional intervals of showers and isolated thunderstorms through today. Showers and thunderstorms are also set to affect T&T through the weekend, as the ITCZ lingers, with Tropical Wave 20 also on the approach.
What you need to know
— Rainfall: Through the next 18 hours, 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 early morning through early afternoon hours. Rainfall totals between 25-50 millimeters are forecast across the country, with higher rainfall totals up to and exceeding 50 millimeters across localized areas of western coastal, southern, and eastern Trinidad and across Tobago.
— Hazards: Chances for street/flash flooding are medium to high through Friday afternoon. 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) went into effect for Trinidad and Tobago from 5:00 AM Friday, July 15th, 2022, through 6:00 PM Friday, July 15th, 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 updated an Adverse Weather Alert (Yellow Level) on Friday at 8:51 AM. The alert went into effect at 5:00 AM Friday, July 15th, 2022, through 6:00 PM Friday, July 15th, 2022.
Trinidad and Tobago is not under any tropical storm watch or warning at this time.
“Intense thunderstorms have been observed over both islands this morning, causing instances of street/flash flooding. Smaller river courses have been overwhelmed, and localized flooding can be expected in surrounding areas. However, the major watercourses remain contained at this time. The axis of the Tropical Wave is expected to pass this morning, and additional rainfall in excess of 25mm can be expected. Gusty winds in excess of 55 km/hr are still possible, especially in the vicinity of showers/thunderstorms. Seas can become agitated at times in sheltered areas,” according to the Trinidad and Tobago Meteorological Service. This “alert” status takes into account the possibility of the event occurring. This adverse weather event has been observed.
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 have been observed, 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.
