Heavy showers and thunderstorms have affected Trinidad and Tobago on Friday, with isolated activity on Saturday, associated with an active Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), Tropical Wave 19, and Tropical Wave 20. Additional intervals of showers and isolated thunderstorms over the next 12 hours as the ITCZ trails Tropical Wave 20, which traversed T&T earlier on Sunday. Heavier activity is forecast to remain north of Trinidad and Tobago.
What you need to know
— Rainfall: Through the next 12 hours, isolated areas of rain, moderate to heavy showers, and isolated thunderstorms are forecast, interrupting variably cloudy skies. Peak intense activity, including isolated heavy to violent showers and intense thunderstorms, is forecast through the afternoon, gradually settling by the evening. Additional rainfall totals between 10-25 millimeters are forecast across the country, with higher rainfall totals up to and exceeding 25 millimeters and up to 50 millimeters across localized areas of the eastern halves of Trinidad and Tobago, and along western coastal Trinidad.
— Hazards: Chances for street/flash flooding are high through Monday. Chances for riverine flooding remain medium at this time, particularly in the North and South Oropouche Rivers, as well as the Caroni River. Smaller watercourses could still become overwhelmed near major rivers that are elevated. 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, and has been extended through 7:00 PM Sunday, July 17th, 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 Sunday at 9:25 AM. The alert went into effect at 5:00 AM Friday, July 15th, 2022, and now remains in effect through 7:00 PM Sunday, July 17th, 2022.
Trinidad and Tobago is not under any tropical storm watch or warning at this time.
“The tropical wave axis is now west of T&T. However, occasional periods of showers are still expected due to lingering convergence behind the wave axis. There is also a medium-high (60 – 70%) chance of isolated thunderstorms. The ground continues to be saturated, so heavy showers/thunderstorms may result in street flooding or isolated flash flooding events, and smaller water courses may also be overwhelmed in some areas. Landslips and landslides are possible in areas so prone. Gusty winds in excess of 55 km/hr are possible, and 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. In addition, residents along smaller water courses and areas with poor drainage should continue to be vigilant
Small craft operators should be on the alert for above-normal or choppy sea conditions in strong winds.
