The 2023 Wet Season has been declared by the Trinidad and Tobago Meteorological Service (TTMS) following rainfall activity producing measurable rainfall (≥0.1mm) associated with the passage of a Tropical Wave on Friday, May 26th, 2023.
Based on expected wind shifts, the axis of the tropical wave moved across both islands on Friday morning. We’ve been tracking this tropical wave since May 15th, 2023, which moved across T&T, bringing scattered rainfall and gusty winds.
This marks the 10th year in a row the TTMS has declared the Wet Season in the month of May. The Wet Season typically runs from June through December.
Like last year, this is the fourth tropical wave that we have tracked that has moved off the African coast, but it is the first to affect Trinidad and Tobago, thus triggering the start of the 2023 Wet Season, although the atmosphere has been transitioning to this phase of the year over the last few weeks.
According to the TTMS, ” For today, Friday 26th May 2023, as at 2 PM, Piarco measured 0.1 mm of rainfall, with higher accumulations recorded in other areas. As the day progresses, this TW will continue to affect T&T, with the most enhanced weather remaining over eastern offshore areas. Across both islands, there is a medium chance (60%) of heavy showers and/or thunderstorms with accompanying gusty winds. With the passage of this Tropical Wave, the ITCZ, which is currently south of 10N, is expected to gradually migrate northward over the weekend, increasing the potential for showers and isolated thunderstorms across T&T.”
At this time, there are three additional Tropical Waves over the Tropical Atlantic east of Trinidad and Tobago, with the next tropical wave forecast to be near T&T late Tuesday into Wednesday of next week. Additionally, over this upcoming weekend, the Intertropical Convergence Zone is forecast to remain south of T&T, possibly affecting southern Trinidad into Monday.
There is no fixed date for the beginning of the wet season. Historically, April into May are the transitional months into a wetter climate. The Trinidad and Tobago Meteorological Service will officially declare the start of the annual wet season once one of two features move across Trinidad and Tobago, triggering rainfall.
Climatologically, Trinidad and Tobago’s wet season can extend into December before completely transitioning into the Dry Season in January. Please be reminded that the Atlantic Hurricane Season officially starts on June 1st and extends until November 30th, and usually falls within Trinidad and Tobago’s Wet Season.
