Trinidad and Tobago is bracing for scattered heavy showers and thunderstorms overnight tonight through tomorrow (Saturday) afternoon as activity associated with the Intertropical Convergence Zone, a low-level trough, and Tropical Wave 18 moves across the country.
What you need to know
— Rainfall: Through Saturday night, periods of rain with isolated moderate to heavy showers and thunderstorms are forecast, mainly nearing 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 while across eastern Trinidad, rainfall totals between 25 and 50 millimeters are possible, with locally higher amounts. Peak intense activity is forecast overnight tonight into the early hours of Saturday morning.
— 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
Hazardous Seas 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 Friday at 2:15 PM. The alert goes into effect for Trinidad, Tobago, and surrounding marine areas from 10:00 PM Friday, June 30th, 2023, and remains in effect through 3:00 PM Saturday, July 1st, 2023.
Periodic rainfall is forecast through the weekend into next week following Tropical Wave 18 and Tropical Wave 19, with the ITCZ bringing more heavy rainfall on Monday into Tuesday.
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 #18, a low-level trough and the ITCZ.
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%) of heavy showers/thunderstorms affecting Trinidad, Tobago, and surrounding marine areas.
- Gusty winds in excess of 55 KM/H, leading to fallen trees, agitating seas, and displacing unsecured items.
- Street/flash flooding and localized ponding are also likely in heavy downpours.
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.
