A significant surge of Saharan Dust, combined with a surge in trade winds are forecast to simultaneously reduce visibility and agitate seas this weekend. However, the overall sea state is forecast to remain moderate over the next seven days.
What you need to know
— What: Occasionally choppy seas as a result of wind gusts and elevated winds accompanying showers and isolated thunderstorm activity through Friday, and then elevated winds again on Saturday night through Monday afternoon, with possible long-period swells affecting northern coastlines. Saharan Dust is also forecast to be present from May 31st through June 3rd at high concentrations, reducing visibility.
— Where: Choppy seas are likely across the entire marine area, open waters, and sheltered areas, where showers or thunderstorms occur. Impacts from occasional long-period swells are likely to remain isolated to north-facing coastlines of northern Trinidad and Tobago.
— When: Agitated seas are likely from today (Thursday) through tomorrow (Friday) due to forecast showers and isolated thunderstorms, with elevated winds agitating seas once more from Saturday night through Monday afternoon. Occasional long-period swells are possible today through tomorrow, as well as from June 2nd.
— Impacts: Large open water waves may be hazardous to smaller marine vessels, making operations difficult with large waves. Larger waves along northern and eastern coastlines may lead to beach erosion. Elevated threat of rip currents on northern and eastern coastlines.
— What Should You Do: All marine interests need to exercise extreme caution, while small craft operators should seek safe harbor when heavy showers or thunderstorms are nearby. Inexperienced mariners should avoid navigating in hazardous conditions, especially those operating smaller vessels. Inexperienced swimmers should remain out of the water due to unsafe surf conditions. If you intend to go into the water, it is recommended that you use beaches with on-duty lifeguards. Secure objects on the beachfront that the wave action or winds may sweep away over the weekend.
Latest Alerts
Adverse Weather Alert Issued As Tropical Wave 02 Nears
Trinidad and Tobago is NOT under any tropical storm or hurricane threat, watch, or warning at this time.
Seas Forecast For Trinidad and Tobago
May 29th through AM May 31st: Winds are forecast to remain from the east-northeast to southeast between 10 and 20 knots, with gusts to 25 knots. Seas in open waters are forecast to remain moderate, with waves near 2.0 meters in height. In sheltered areas, waves are forecast to be near 1.0 meters and occasionally choppy, mainly near heavy showers and thunderstorms. Swell periods are forecast to range between 8 and 13 seconds coming in from the north to northeast.
From PM May 31st through AM June 3rd: Winds are forecast to range between 15 and 25 knots, with gusts to 30 knots. Seas in open waters are forecast to remain moderate with waves between 2.0 meters and 2.5 meters. In sheltered areas, waves are forecast to be near 1.0 meters and occasionally choppy. Swell periods are forecast to range between 8 and 11 seconds from the north. Significant Saharan Dust is forecast to reduce horizontal visibility to 5 kilometers during this period. Combined with elevated winds and sea spray, horizontal visibility may become hazardous for smaller craft operating in open waters.
June 3rd through June 4th: Winds are forecast to range between 10 and 20 knots from the east-southeast and east-northeast with gusts to 25 knots. Seas in open waters are forecast to remain moderate, with waves between 1.5 meters and 2.0 meters. In sheltered areas, waves are forecast to be near 1.0 meter and choppy. Swell periods are forecast to be between 8 and 16 seconds from the east.
What should you do
All marine interests need to exercise extreme caution, while small craft operators should seek safe harbors. Inexperienced mariners, especially those operating smaller vessels, should avoid navigating in hazardous conditions.
Occasional long-period swells are forecast to bring occasional battering waves along the northern exposed coastlines of both islands, particularly from next Tuesday. Marine interests should also exercise caution.
With elevated winds in showers or thunderstorms forecast, secure objects on the beachfront that could be swept away by wave action or winds, particularly on Thursday through Friday, and again from Saturday night through Monday morning.
Inexperienced swimmers should avoid the water during heavy showers or thunderstorms due to the likelihood of unsafe surf conditions. If they intend to go into the water, it is recommended that they use beaches with lifeguards on duty.
Rip currents always pose a hazard on the nation’s beaches. If caught in a rip current, swim perpendicular to the current, parallel to the shore. Mariners, especially small craft operators, should ensure their vessels are securely anchored or docked, as choppy or breaking wave conditions may drag the vessel onto the ocean floor or reefs in shallow waters, or even break the anchorage or mooring.
