The Adverse Weather Alert initially issued for Northern Trinidad and all of Tobago has been expanded to cover the entire country and has been extended until 8:00 PM today.
Parts of southern Trinidad, including Barrackpore, Morgua, and Penal, remain underwater following heavy overnight rainfall, with the South Oropouche River flooding low-lying areas. Over the last several hours, cloudy skies with showers and isolated thunderstorms have affected Tobago and are now developing across Trinidad.
What you need to know
— Rainfall: Over the next 24 hours, forecast models show additional rainfall accumulations across Trinidad and Tobago as high as 30 millimeters, but high-resolution modeling shows localized totals across Central Trinidad (outside of the alert area) and northern Trinidad receiving as high as 100 millimeters of rainfall. Generally, northern areas of Trinidad are forecast to record the highest rainfall accumulations, with isolated high totals across western Trinidad.
— Hazards: The main hazards will originate from heavy showers and thunderstorms, which will produce cloud-to-ground lightning, gusty winds up to 50 KM/H), and periods of heavy/violent rainfall, which can trigger street/flash flooding. Due to saturated soils, landslides are likely in elevated areas, particularly along the Northern Range and windward slopes of Tobago. Seas are forecast to become locally agitated during heavy showers or thunderstorms.
Latest Alerts
Hazardous Seas Alert in Effect – Swells from Hurricane Kirk Affecting Region
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 updated the Adverse Weather Alert (Yellow Level) on Wednesday at 12:19 PM. The alert went into effect at 10:00 AM Wednesday, July 17th, 2024, for northern Trinidad and Tobago, and has now been expanded for all of Trinidad and Tobago, as well as extended until 8:00 PM today.
As mentioned earlier, the forecast of inclement weather is due to back-to-back tropical waves and the Intertropical Convergence Zone across T&T.
This “alert” status considers the possibility of the event occurring. This adverse weather event is very likely to have the following impacts, according to the TTMS:
- Low-level moisture and convergence will continue to affect Tobago with varying intensities and will spread across varying localities over Trinidad during the next few hours.
- Moderate to heavy showers can lead to street, flash flooding, and localized ponding in some areas.
- Gusty winds and choppy seas can be expected in the vicinity of heavy downpours.
- There is the continued likelihood of landslides and toppling trees in areas so prone.
The alert’s color indicates the severity of the event and the probability of its occurrence. Currently, the alert level is Yellow. This means that the hazards are very likely/observed, 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 street/flash flooding, landslides, gusty winds up to 50 KM/H possible falling trees, and agitated seas.
A moderate Adverse Weather Alert can result in possible injuries and behavioral changes are required to ensure safety. Minor damage to property may also occur, temporarily disrupting income-earning activities and affecting a couple of communities.
The Met Office is advising the public to secure items that may be affected by flood waters and do not venture into flood waters, be vigilant to changing weather conditions in your area, and monitor official weather updates and reports.
