The Trinidad and Tobago Meteorological Service (TTMS) is forecasting yet another Wet Season with above-average temperatures in their latest outlook issued on May 12th, 2023.
For the 2023 Wet Season, the TTMS is forecasting mostly average temperatures are likely across both islands. However, there is a greater than 45% chance for above-normal maximum and minimum temperatures favoring western areas of Trinidad and Tobago. They add that cities and urban areas have the highest chances for warmer-than-average temperatures.
In Trinidad and Tobago, the local heat season has its peak from August through October, and the TTMS is forecasting maximum temperatures to reach or exceed 34.0°C during this time, particularly from August through September.
There are also elevated chances for short-duration hot spells and “heat surges” where maximum temperatures reach or exceed 34.0°C during September and early October.
According to the TTMS, cities and urban areas have the highest chance for warmer than average temperatures and are likely to get the most intense heat, with temperatures likely to reach or exceed 35.0°C.
What does this mean for you?
Higher than usual and extreme temperatures can lead to relatively excessive heat for Trinidad and Tobago during the peak of the local heat season, which can amplify existing health conditions in vulnerable persons and worsen chronic health conditions in others.
Increased heat may increase the need to access cooling, which requires energy and strains the electrical grid and pockets due to increased electricity usage.
Issues may also arise for farmers as hot days, and spells can cause heat stress in livestock and wilting in newly transplanted and younger crops. Aquatic farms may also suffer as warmer than usual temperatures can lead to warmer than usual water temperatures, which are particularly important for the health of aquaponic fishes and plants. Water temperatures much warmer than 30.0°C can affect warm-water fishes such as tilapia.
