Meteorologist/Reporter
kalain.hosein@guardian.co.tt
Tropical Depression Two formed in the Atlantic Ocean yesterday evening, with the centre of circulation located just over 2,000 kilometres east of Trinidad and Tobago.
The National Hurricane Center (NHC), in their initial advisory, said the system was forecast to move relatively quickly westward to west-northwestward during the next few days, bringing the core of the system between Tobago and Barbados on Monday. Yesterday evening, Tropical Depression Two moved west at 28 KM/H.
The NHC forecasts this system to begin affecting the region from tomorrow night and move across the region on Monday. However, Tropical Depression Two is forecast to steadily strengthen and become a tropical storm by Saturday and a hurricane before moving across the Windward Islands. When this system forms, it will be called Beryl.
The latest forecast intensity and track shows this low-pressure system tracking between St Vincent and Grenada on Monday afternoon, with maximum sustained winds between 140 KM/H and 160 KM/H, with gusts as high as 195 KM/H, meaning this system could become a Category 2 hurricane before tracking across the Windwards.
The NHC adds that between three to six inches (75 to 150 millimetres) of rainfall is forecast across the Windward Islands, including Barbados and T&T, with swells reaching the region by late Sunday.
On Friday evening, no tropical storm or hurricane watches or warnings were issued for the Lesser Antilles. However, the NHC said, “Interests in the Lesser Antilles should closely monitor the progress of this system,” and Hurricane and Tropical Storm Watches will likely be required for portions of the area as late as early Saturday.
The T&T Meteorological Service said that while the system posed no direct threat to Trinidad at this time, based on its current track, Tobago lies on the southern edge of the cone, and there is a low to medium (30 per cent to 50 per cent) chance of tropical storm conditions favouring Tobago.
According to their fifth official statement issued Friday evening, the current outlook from the Met Office for Monday says T&T is forecast to experience “cloudy skies with showers and a medium to high chance of thunderstorm activity by Monday 01 July 2024. Sea conditions are expected to become further agitated.”
In their forecast for Monday, issued at 4 pm yesterday, the TTMS said, “Cloudy to overcast with moderate to heavy rainfall and the medium to high chance (60 per cent-70 per cent) of thunderstorm activity.”
Floods hit northern Trinidad
Heavy morning showers and thunderstorms led to street and flash flooding across Port of Spain and surrounding areas.
Flooding in lower Port of Spain, at lower Richmond Street, and City Gate, South Quay, eft roadways temporarily impassable.
Flooding also occurred across parts of Champ Fleurs, Mount Lambert, San Juan, El Socorro, Morvant, Barataria, Laventille, St Ann’s, and Diego Martin.
According to information from the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service via the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Management, flooding was reported in the following areas:
• Independence Square North & Richmond Street
• ↓George Street & Queen Street
• ↓Charlotte Street & Prince Street
• Independence Square & Henry Street
• ↓Dundonald Street and New Street
• Lady Young Road and St Ann’s Roundabout
• Dundonald Street and Oxford Street
• Wrightson Road and the Lighthouse
• South Quay and Chacon Street
• Port of Spain Market in the vicinity of PBR
• City Gate
• Wrightson Road and Sackville Street
• Wrightson Road and Hamilton Holder Street
• Independence Square and St Vincent Street.
The Mayaro/Rio Claro Regional Corporation also reported a fallen tree along the Guayaguayare Road in Rio Claro and a fallen tree at Rampaul Trace in Navet Village.