As the 2023 Dry Season continues, Trinidad and Tobago has moved into the climatologically driest and hottest month of the year. Temperatures are forecast to remain near the seasonal average through the next several days while rainfall is forecast to remain sparse.
What you need to know
— Rainfall: Through Monday, generally sunny and hazy skies are forecast to be interrupted by highly isolated, brief showers favoring southern and eastern areas. Over the next five days, between 5 and 15 millimeters of rainfall is forecast across both islands, with isolated totals nearing 25 millimeters, favoring eastern and southern areas of Trinidad.
— Saharan Dust: A moderate to high concentration surge of Saharan Dust is forecast to remain present through the forecast period.
— Hazards: Over the next four days, the main hazard will be wind gusts up to 55 KM/H, generally accompanying isolated showers over the weekend.
— Marine: Seas are forecast to be moderate in open waters with waves up to 2.0 meters, but in nearshore areas of eastern and northern T&T, as well as along sheltered western areas of both islands, seas will remain hazardous due to long-period swells.
Latest Alert
Hazardous Seas Alert Issued For Northern & Eastern Coastlines of T&T
Trinidad and Tobago is NOT under any tropical storm or hurricane threat, watch, or warning.
The Forecast
Thursday
ThursdayFriday
FridaySaturday
SaturdaySunday
SundayMonday
MondayMarine Forecast
Seas Forecast: Moderate Seas, Reduced Visibility
Temperatures
Generally, over the next five days, maximum highs and minimum lows are forecast to be fairly seasonal.
Saturday through Tuesday
Low: 22-24°C
High: 30-32°C
Maximum high temperatures are forecast to reach 31°C with slightly warmer in urbanized areas and cooler across Tobago and eastern Trinidad. Minimum lows are forecast to remain near 22°C to 24°C in Trinidad and near 23°C to 25°C in Tobago, trending cooler in interior areas. The heat index will generally remain below 35°C.
Forecast Impacts
Flooding
FloodingStreet/flash flooding is not expected, with chances very low.
Forecast Rainfall Totals
- Thursday: Less than 5 millimeters of rainfall accumulation across the country.
- Friday: No rainfall is expected in most areas. Less than 5 millimeters favoring eastern and southern coastal Trinidad.
- Saturday: Little to no rainfall is expected in most areas across western and southern Trinidad. Less than 5 millimeters of rainfall accumulation favoring northeastern Trinidad and Tobago.
- Sunday: Less than 5 millimeters of rainfall accumulation across the country.
- Monday: Little to no rainfall is expected in most areas.
Putting the rainfall forecast into context, rainfall rates in excess of 50 millimeters per hour or areas that receive in excess of 25 millimeters within an hour tend to trigger street flooding across the country or flash flooding in northern Trinidad. For riverine flooding to occur, a large area of the country (not just in highly localized areas of western coastal Trinidad) would have to record upwards of 75 millimeters within 24 hours, and rainfall would have to fall across major rivers’ catchment areas.
Strong Thunderstorms
Strong ThunderstormsGusty Winds
Gusty WindsPossible impacts include localized wind damage to trees, power lines, and small structures. Light outdoor objects may topple or become airborne such as garbage cans, potted plants, loose galvanize or construction material, and other outdoor furniture. Tents may jump. Older/weaker trees may fall, bringing down utility poles and lines.
Other Hazards
Saharan Dust is forecast to remain present through the forecast period at moderate to high concentrations.
Why I May Not/Will Not See Rainfall?
A frequent complaint is the forecast is wrong because I didn’t experience any rainfall. Scattered showers mean that you, individually, may experience some showers intermittently throughout the day, and there is a higher chance for this activity than isolated activity. Widespread showers mean that nearly all persons and areas may experience rainfall.
Over the next five days, highly isolated showers are forecast, interrupting sunny and hazy skies.
Forecast Discussion
Through the next five days, a high-pressure ridge is forecast to remain dominant across the Lesser Antilles. A dry and stable air mass is forecast to remain across the region, with few low-level cloud patches bringing brief cloudy periods or light to moderate showers.
Abundant Saharan Dust is forecast to be present across Trinidad and Tobago through the five-day forecast period. Combined with elevated wind shear and brisk low-level winds, rainfall is not expected to be persistent, nor are chances for heavy showers or thunderstorms high.
