T&T felt the outer bands of Potential Tropical Cyclone Two (PTC2) on Tuesday afternoon, with winds gusting to 63 kilometres per hour at Crown Point, Tobago, accompanied by heavy rains.
As of 2 pm on Tuesday, the country remained under a Tropical Storm Warning from the Trinidad and Tobago Meteorological Service (TTMS), with PTC2 sweeping across the country overnight into this morning.
According to the TTMS, as of Tuesday afternoon, “the centre of PTC2 was located near 10.0˚N latitude 58.2˚W longitude or about 340 kilometres east of Trinidad. The system had sustained winds of 65 kilometres per hour with higher gusts and a central pressure of 1009 millibars. PTC2 is still a strong Tropical Wave however there is potential for intensification into a Tropical Cyclone over the next 24 hours. The system is moving toward the west at 37 kilometres per hour and a west to northwestward motion is expected over the next few days.”
The Met Office forecasted isolated afternoon heavy showers/thunderstorms, which could produce gusty winds in excess of 55 kilometres per hour last night into today.
It added,” Regardless of intensification, as the system moves over the islands, it is likely to produce periods of heavy to intense showers and/or thunderstorms which can result in rainfall accumulations in excess of 50 millimetres in some areas and wind gusts in excess of 70 kilometres per hour. These wind gusts can break tree branches, displace unsecured roofs and loose outdoor objects, and can even topple over unhealthy trees. Heavy rainfall can produce ponding and localized flash flooding. Marine activities can be adversely affected, as sea conditions will become rough with wave heights occasionally reaching above three meters in open waters and choppy in sheltered areas. The risk of landslides/landslips is likely in areas so prone.”
Also, at 2 pm yesterday, the National Hurricane Center’s advisory maintained Tropical Storm Warnings for Trinidad and Tobago, Grenada and its dependencies, Islas de Margarita, Conche, Cubagua, Bonaire, Curacao and Aruba, with Tropical Storm Watches in effect for the northeastern coast of Venezuela.
A Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area within 36 hours. A Tropical Storm Watch means tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area, generally within 48 hours.
Today, trailing bands from Potential Tropical Cyclone Two are forecast to move across Trinidad and Tobago with the Intertropical Convergence Zone nearby. The latest model guidance keeps the country’s heaviest rainfall north and east.
The Met Office advised the public to “always have emergency supplies of food and water on standby. Secure loose outdoor items and livestock. Do not wade or drive through flood waters. Pre-position sandbags if your area floods and monitor river levels. Those with marine interests should exercise extreme caution. Follow the instructions of Government officials.”