Trinidad and Tobago is bracing for isolated heavy rainfall over the next 24 to 36 hours as rain, showers, and thunderstorms are forecast through Tuesday evening.
What you need to know
— Rainfall: Through the next 36 hours (12:00 AM Wednesday), periods of rain with isolated moderate to heavy showers and thunderstorms are forecast, mainly after midnight tonight, interrupting cloudy skies. The most intense activity is forecast to remain offshore northern and eastern T&T. Rainfall totals between 15 and 25 millimeters are forecast across both islands, with isolated totals nearing or exceeding 30 millimeters in various areas, particularly across the northern half of Trinidad. Peak intense activity is forecast during the early morning to mid-morning hours on Tuesday.
— Hazards: Street and flash flooding is likely across both islands, with brief wind gusts in excess of 55 KM/H accompanying heavy showers or thunderstorms likely. Localized wind damage, such as fallen trees, is possible. Lightning will accompany thunderstorms. Landslides are also possible, mainly across northeastern Trinidad and Tobago. Seas are forecast to become locally agitated during heavy showers or thunderstorms. Conditions are favorable for funnel cloud development, with winds moving from the south to the southeast.
Latest Alerts
Adverse Weather Alert Discontinued For T&T
Trinidad and Tobago is NOT under any tropical storm or hurricane threat, watch, or warning at this time.
The Adverse Weather Alert
The Trinidad and Tobago Meteorological Service issued an Adverse Weather Alert (Yellow Level) on Monday at 3:34 PM. The alert goes into effect for Trinidad, Tobago, and surrounding marine areas from 2:00 AM Tuesday, June 27th, 2023, and remains in effect through 5:00 PM Tuesday, June 27th, 2023.
Periodic rainfall is forecast through the week following Tropical Wave 17, with the ITCZ bringing more heavy rainfall towards the end of the week.
Trinidad and Tobago is not under any tropical storm watch or warning at this time.
According to the TTMS, the approaching inclement weather is associated with Tropical Wave #17.
This “alert” status takes into account the possibility of the event occurring. This adverse weather event is likely with the following impacts, according to the TTMS:
- High chance (70-80%) of heavy showers/thunderstorms affecting Trinidad, Tobago, and surrounding marine areas.
- Heavy downpours can lead to isolated flood events that may cause temporary traffic disruptions
- Brief gusty winds.
- Seas can become additionally agitated in heavy showers/thunderstorms.
The color of the alert indicates the severity of the event and the probability of the event occurring. Currently, the alert level is Yellow. This means that the hazards are likely, and the severity of the impacts is moderate for this particular alert. You should be aware of the hazards in your area associated mainly with gusty winds in excess of 55 KM/H, street, and flash flooding, landslides, as well as frequent lightning.
For a moderate Adverse Weather Alert, there is the potential for possible injuries, where behavioral changes are required to ensure safety. There may be minor damage to property, with income-earning temporarily disrupted and a couple of communities affected.
The Met Office is advising the public to be alert to cloud-to-ground lightning activity, not venture into flood waters, monitor river levels, as well as monitor weather conditions and updates from official sources.