2023’s dry weather is set to continue across Trinidad and Tobago over the next five days. While conditions remain generally warm and dry, some cloudy skies are forecast by Friday through the weekend, with a low chance of isolated showers.
What you need to know
— Rainfall: Over the next five days, less than 10 millimeters of rainfall accumulations are forecast across both islands, with isolated totals of up to 25 millimeters of rainfall forecast favoring northeastern areas of both islands.
— Saharan Dust: A moderate to high concentration surge of Saharan Dust is present across T&T with concentrations remaining elevated through the next five days.
— Hazards: Over the next five days, the main hazard will be reduced air quality and occasional wind gusts exceeding 45 KM/H, generally accompanying brief, isolated showers.
— 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 agitated due to long-period swells.
Latest Alerts
There are no alerts, watches, or warnings in effect for Trinidad, Tobago, or surrounding marine areas.
Trinidad and Tobago is NOT under any tropical storm or hurricane threat, watch, or warning.
The Forecast
Thursday
ThursdayFriday
FridaySaturday
SaturdaySunday
SundayMonday
MondayMarine Forecast
Sea Forecast: Increasing Winds To Agitate Seas Into Weekend
Temperatures
Generally, over the next five days, maximum highs and minimum lows are forecast to be fairly seasonal.
Saturday through Tuesday
Low: 23-25°C
High: 30-33°C
Maximum high temperatures are forecast to range between 30°C to 33°C with slightly warmer in urbanized areas and cooler across Tobago and eastern Trinidad. From Friday through Monday, maximum highs are set to trend slightly cooler, though conditions are forecast to remain humid and warm. Minimum lows are forecast to remain near 23°C to 25°C in Trinidad and near 23°C to 25°C in Tobago, trending cooler in interior areas. The heat index will generally remain below 38°C.
Forecast Impacts
Flooding
FloodingForecast Rainfall Totals
- Thursday: Little to no rainfall expected. In isolated areas of brief showers, less than 5 millimeters of rainfall across the country.
- Friday: Little to no rainfall expected. In isolated areas of brief showers, less than 5 millimeters of rainfall across the country.
- Saturday: Little to no rainfall expected. In isolated areas of brief showers, less than 5 millimeters of rainfall across the country.
- Sunday: Little to no rainfall expected. In isolated areas of brief showers, less than 5 millimeters of rainfall across the country.
- Monday: Little to no rainfall expected. In isolated areas of brief showers, less than 5 millimeters of rainfall across the country.
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 Forecast
Short-Lived Saharan Dust Surge From Thursday into Weekend
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.
Through the next five days, highly isolated showers are forecast, interrupting variably cloudy and hazy skies.
Forecast Discussion
For Trinidad and Tobago, a persistent western Atlantic high-pressure system is forecast to remain in place with a relatively dry low and mid to upper-level atmosphere remaining in place on Thursday through most of the next five days.
However, with a favorably positioned mid to upper-level trough, T&T will experience increasingly cloudy skies (mid-level and upper-level clouds) from Friday through Sunday. However, with a lack of overall moisture and strong wind shear, little rainfall accumulation is forecast.
While no major change in the forecast is expected, the best chance for any rainfall will be on Sunday as a marginally moist atmosphere is in place across the southern Windwards, including Trinidad and Tobago, with some surface to low-level confluence present to generate some showers. Any rainfall will be brief and accompanied by occasional wind gusts.
Overarching this five-day forecast will be the presence of moderate to high concentrations of Saharan Dust, keeping hazy conditions on tap for Trinidad and Tobago through next week.
