Kalain Hosein
Meteorologist/Reporter
As the Trinidad and Tobago Meteorological Service (TTMS) discontinued the Adverse Weather Alert for the country, showers and thunderstorms flared across Trinidad, leading to flooding across various areas of the island.
From the mid-morning through the afternoon, a line of heavy showers and thunderstorms lifted north from Central Trinidad, intensifying as it moved across the East-West Corridor by midday. Intense rainfall rates - with rainfall accumulations between 25 and 35 millimetres within an hour - led to numerous reports of street and flash flooding.
As of 1:00 pm, flooding has been reported in Sangre Grande, Santa Rosa, Tunapuna, Arima, El Dorado, St. Augustine, Champ Fleurs, San Juan, Laventille, and Port of Spain.
Flooding has also been reported on the eastbound lanes of the Churchill Roosevelt Highway in the vicinity of Orange Grove, with a fallen tree blocking the left and centre lanes of the southbound Uriah Butler Highway just before the Munroe Road overpass.
Unsettled weather has been a result of the passage of a tropical wave overnight, which did bring some rainfall to Tobago and the northern half of Trinidad, accompanied by a surge in trade winds all interacting with the Intertropical Convergence Zone.
According to the TTMS’ Adverse Weather Alert discontinuation at 9:24 am Thursday, “The potential for impactful weather has decreased considerably. However, there is still a 40-60% (medium) chance of isolated heavy showers or thunderstorm activity accompanied by occasional gusty winds during the day today. A gradual improvement is forecast towards late afternoon into tonight.”
At 10:24 am their forecast said, “Partly cloudy, hazy and at times breezy conditions are expected with occasional light to moderate showers occurring in various localities. There is also a 40-60% (medium) chance of isolated heavy showers and thunderstorms. Some cloudiness will persist overnight with few showers.” They added, “Gusty winds and street flooding may occur near heavy showers and thunderstorms.”
The Trinidad and Tobago Meteorological Service is the authoritative source of weather and climate information for T&T.
In an update on the Wet and Hurricane Season, posted to their social media platforms amidst the heavy rainfall on Thursday, meteorologist Gary Benjamin stated, “It is important to keep abreast of forecasts or any information issued by the Trinidad and Tobago Meteorological Service. The Trinidad and Tobago Meteorological Service continues to constantly monitor the weather, and as always, will inform you (the public) as and when it becomes necessary to do so.”
Last night’s yellow-level Adverse Weather Alert was issued at 9:42 pm, and went into effect at 9:45 pm as showers and thunderstorms moved onshore Tobago, advised the public to “secure loose outdoor objects and livestock” as there was then, “a medium to high chance (60-70%) of isolated heavy showers or thunderstorm activity, accompanied by gusty winds near 55 km/h.”