Heavy showers and thunderstorms are forecast for Trinidad and Tobago through Thursday, associated with an approaching tropical wave that is being monitored for tropical cyclone development. With severe impacts possible, the alert could be upgraded to orange as certainty increases over the next several hours.
What you need to know
— Rainfall: Through Friday, periods of rain, moderate to heavy showers, and isolated to scattered thunderstorms are forecast, interrupting variably cloudy skies. Peak intense activity, including isolated heavy to violent showers and intense thunderstorms, is forecast on Wednesday through Thursday afternoon. Overall rainfall totals between 75 and 125 millimeters are forecast across both islands. Isolated totals may accumulate 200 millimeters across both islands.
— Hazards: Street/flash flooding is expected. Chances for riverine flooding will increase through the next 48 hours. Gusty winds in excess of 70 KM/H accompanying heavy showers or thunderstorms are likely, with wind gusts in excess of 55 KM/H expected. Stronger wind gusts are expected across Tobago and northern Trinidad. Lightning will accompany thunderstorms. Landslides are possible across both islands. Seas are forecast to become agitated.
— Alerts/Watches/Warnings: An Adverse Weather Alert (Yellow Level) goes into effect for Trinidad and Tobago from 5:00 AM Wednesday, September 21st, 2022, and remains in effect through 8:00 PM Thursday, September 22nd, 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 issued an Adverse Weather Alert (Yellow Level) on Tuesday at 2:12 PM. The alert goes into effect for Trinidad and Tobago from 5:00 AM Wednesday, September 21st, 2022, and remains in effect through 8:00 PM Thursday, September 22nd, 2022. Severe impacts are possible and with certainty increasing over the next 24 hours, the alert could be upgraded to Orange Level.
Trinidad and Tobago is not under any tropical storm watch or warning at this time.
“Showers and isolated thunderstorms, at times heavy, are expected from Wednesday morning over oceanic waters and extending across Trinidad and Tobago. This activity is associated with an active tropical wave with potential for development over the next few days. Gusty winds in excess of 70km/hr can be expected, along with rainfall accumulations of 75 – 125 mm. Street or flash flooding is likely in areas of heavy downpours. Impacts can include larger than normal waves in both open waters and in the Gulf of Paria. Tree branches and loose objects can be displaced during strong winds. Traffic disruptions are likely in flooded areas. Expect periods of lull between bursts of rainfall and thunderstorm activity,” 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 possible, or two out of four in certainty.
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 possible, but the severity of the impacts is severe 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 severe Adverse Weather Alert, there is the potential for the loss of a single life or serious injuries where physical defenses are needed, and major losses are possible in confined areas. Income earning may be possible in these severely affected areas for several days, and with several communities affected, external help may be needed for recovery.
The Met Office is advising the public to monitor weather conditions and updates from official sources, plan safety measures and follow the instructions of government officials.
