Winds are forecast to become gentle this weekend, leading to a reduction in wave heights both in open waters and sheltered areas. While no long-period swells or elevated winds are forecast through the next seven days, Spring Tides will continue through Sunday, April 23rd, 2023, requiring caution from sea bathers and mariners alike.
Seas Forecast For Trinidad and Tobago
Through Friday, seas in open waters are forecast to remain moderate, with waves between 1.5 and 2.0 meters. Winds are set to decrease Friday into Saturday following the passage of a trough, leading to a gradual improvement of the sea state. By the weekend and into the first half of next week, a slack pressure gradient will remain in place, resulting in light to gentle winds and slight seas with waves up to 1.25 meters.
Over the next three days, winds are forecast to range between 10 and 15 knots, gusting to 20 knots, generally from the northeast to the southeast, with higher gusts near 25 knots possible in heavy showers or thunderstorms. From Saturday evening through Tuesday, winds are forecast to remain light to gentle and variable, with speeds between 0 and 10 knots, with higher gusts in showers or thunderstorms. Though the prevailing direction will be generally from the east, variable winds are forecast throughout the day
Seas in sheltered areas remain below 1.0 meter through Saturday, becoming near calm through the remainder of the forecast period. However, with the possibility of heavy showers and/or thunderstorms from Friday through Wednesday, locally choppy seas are possible in the vicinity of this activity.
Swell periods are forecast to range between 6 and 9 seconds through the forecast period.
Possible Impacts
Saharan Dust concentrations are forecast to remain elevated through Saturday, reducing air quality and visibility across the country.
Additionally, spring tides are forecast to continue through Sunday, April 23rd, 2023. These are higher than usual high tides and lower than usual low tides will increase the rip current threat. Rip currents are strong currents perpendicular to the shoreline that can carry even the strongest swimmers out to sea.
