Over the weekend, winds are forecast to increase, agitating seas, with spring tides continuing through next week. By Monday, long-period swells are also forecast to return, causing larger-than-usual waves along northern and eastern coastlines.
There are no marine alerts, watches, or warnings from the Trinidad and Tobago Meteorological Service for Trinidad and Tobago at this time.
Seas Forecast For Trinidad and Tobago
From Saturday through early Tuesday, and again from Thursday, sustained winds are forecast to increase to 15-20 knots, gusting to 25 knots, generally coming in from the east to northeast. These winds are forecast to agitate seas in open waters, with waves in open waters between 2.0 and 2.5 meters, reaching occasionally up to 3.0 meters on Sunday, Monday, and Friday. Seas in sheltered areas remain near 1.0 meter but are choppy due to forecast elevated winds and long-period swells from Monday.
Swell periods are forecast to range between 11 and 17 seconds between Monday and Wednesday, with peak swells on Monday night into Tuesday. These longer-period swells produce larger, battering waves along nearshore areas. Mariners will need to exercise caution.
Possible Impacts
No significant Saharan Dust is forecast across Trinidad and Tobago over the next week, with no major impacts on visibility and air quality.
From Monday, long-period swells are forecast. Swells with longer periods produce larger waves along the coastline, which can be battering and cause the following:
- Loss of life;
- Injuries;
- Coastal erosion;
- Localized disruptions of businesses;
- Damage or loss of boats and fishing equipment;
- Disruptions to marine recreation and businesses
- Economic losses.
While no alerts, watches, or warnings are in effect for Trinidad and Tobago, the Barbados Meteorological Service has issued an orange-level Small Craft Advisory and High Surf Advisory from Saturday night, February 4th, 2023, through Sunday night, February 5th, 2023, reducing the advisories to yellow-level from Monday, February 6th, 2023.
Additionally, spring tides are ongoing and are forecast to subside by Wednesday, February 8th, 2023. These are higher than usual high tides and lower than usual low tides, combined with the presence of higher energy waves due to long-period swells, will increase the rip current threat, particularly long eastern and northern coastlines. Rip currents are strong currents perpendicular to the shoreline that can carry even the strongest swimmers out to sea.
