An active Intertropical Convergence Zone has been affecting Trinidad and, to a lesser extent, Tobago since Monday night, bringing showers and thunderstorms accompanied by locally heavy rainfall and gusty winds. These conditions are forecast to subside today gradually, but due to saturated soils, flooding is likely, particularly across the eastern half of Trinidad.
What you need to know
— Rainfall: Through Tuesday night, additional periods of rain with isolated to scattered moderate to heavy showers and thunderstorms are forecast, interrupting mostly cloudy to overcast skies. Already, across T&T, between 12.5mm and 37.5mm have been recorded, with isolated totals across the eastern half of Trinidad up to 125mm. Additional rainfall totals between 10 and 25 millimeters are forecast across Trinidad. Locally higher amounts are possible in areas with persisting heavy showers or thunderstorms, favoring eastern Trinidad.
— Hazards: The main hazards will be street and flash flooding in heavy showers and thunderstorms, accompanied by gusty winds up to 50 KM/H. Seas are forecast to become locally agitated during heavy showers or thunderstorms. Landslides are also possible in elevated areas, favoring eastern and southern areas.
Latest Alerts
Adverse Weather Alert Discontinued. Showers, Thunderstorms Still In The Forecast
Trinidad and Tobago is NOT under any tropical storm or hurricane threat, watch, or warning.
The Localized Flood Alert
The Trinidad and Tobago Meteorological Service has issued a Localized Flood Alert (Yellow Level) on Tuesday at 10:18 AM. The alert retroactively went into effect at 10:15 AM Tuesday, November 12th, 2024, and remains in effect until 4:00 PM Tuesday, November 12th, 2024.
Trinidad and Tobago is not under any tropical storm watch or warning.
As mentioned earlier, the inclement weather is due to an active Intertropical Convergence Zone.
This “alert” status considers the possibility of the event occurring. This adverse weather event is likely, and the following impacts are likely, according to the TTMS:
- Localized flooding and ponding, especially in low-lying and flood-prone areas
- Potential traffic delays due to water accumulation on roadways
- Reduced visibility during heavy downpours, which may affect driving conditions.
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, but the severity of impacts is moderate for this particular alert. You should know the hazards in your area associated with street, flash, and possible minor riverine flooding.
For a moderate Localized Flood 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 advises the public to monitor weather conditions and assess your surroundings before venturing out, avoid driving or wading through flood waters, follow the instructions of government officials, and monitor weather updates.
