As we progress into the weekend, low-level winds and long-period swells are forecast to increase, creating potentially hazardous conditions in nearshore areas and open waters as seas become agitated.
Latest Alert
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.
Seas Forecast For Trinidad and Tobago
Wednesday into Thursday: Seas are forecast to be moderate in open waters, with waves generally between 1.5 and 2.0 meters. In sheltered areas, waves are forecast to be near 1.0 meter and occasionally choppy, mainly in or near heavy showers/thunderstorms. Swell periods are forecast to range between 8 and 11 seconds. Winds are forecast to range between 15 to 20 knots from the east-northeast to east-southeast, gusting up to 25 knots, especially near showers or thunderstorms. Spring tides are forecast to end on Thursday.
Friday through Sunday: Seas are forecast to be moderate to occasionally rough in open waters with waves between 2.0 and 2.5 meters, occasionally reaching as high as 3.0 meters, mainly offshore northeastern Trinidad and east of Tobago. In sheltered areas, waves are forecast to be near 1.5 meters and choppy due to a combination of elevated winds and long-period swells. Swell periods are forecast to range between 11 and 15 seconds, peaking on Saturday. Winds are forecast to range between 15 to 20 knots from the southeast to northeast, gusting to 30 knots in heavy showers or thunderstorms.
Monday into Tuesday: Seas are forecast to be moderate in open waters, with waves generally between 1.5 and 2.0 meters, occasionally above on Monday. In sheltered areas, waves are forecast to be near 1.0 meter and occasionally choppy, mainly in or near heavy showers/thunderstorms. On Monday, swell periods are forecast to range between 8 and 13 seconds, coming down between 8 and 11 seconds on Tuesday. Winds are forecast to range between 10 to 15 knots from the northeast to southeast, gusting up to 20 knots, especially near showers or thunderstorms.
Possible Impacts
Saharan Dust concentrations are forecast to be present during the forecast period but are not expected to affect visibility significantly.
Long-period swells from the north will require additional caution from beachgoers and marine interests, particularly during high tide periods due to increased risks of rip currents and larger near-shore waves.
Additionally, with moderate to strong low-level winds, open-water seas are forecast to become occasionally rough Friday through Sunday. Rough seas are hazardous to small craft. Marine interests must exercise extreme caution if operating in open waters this weekend.
Long-period swells produce high-energy waves near coastlines, resulting in larger, battering waves that can cause minor coastal flooding, beach erosion, and potentially hazardous beach and marine conditions.
Note that a Hazardous Seas Alert may be issued by the Trinidad and Tobago Meteorological Service later this week into the weekend for marine areas of T&T. Specifically, northern and northeastern coastlines of Trinidad and Tobago and north-facing coastlines within the Gulf of Paria will experience long-period swells and high-energy waves from Thursday evening. Strong low-level winds will agitate seas across mainly eastern and northern open waters.
