T&T Weather Alert status now GREEN, Riverine Flood Alert still in effect

The Adverse Weather Alert/YELLOW Level has been discontinued by the Trinidad and Tobago Meteorological Service (TTMS), as at 11:52 am, today, Friday 7 October 2022.

The country’s weather alert status now stands at GREEN.

In its advisory, the Met Service stated:

“The potential for impactful weather over Trinidad and Tobago is significantly reduced. However, partly cloudy to cloudy periods are likely at times over few areas with a chance of isolated heavy showers or thunderstorms. Although some additional rainfall is likely, this is not expected to significantly hinder further runoff. Landslips/landslides are still possible as soils remain saturated.”

And the Met Service is urging the public to remain alert and continue to monitor weather conditions and updates from official sources, such as www.metoffice.gov.tt and www.odpm.gov.tt

Meanwhile, the Riverine Flood Alert/ORANGE Level remains in effect until 5:00 pm, today.

The Met Service team continues to monitor major watercourses of Trinidad, including the North Oropouche, Caroni and South Oropouche Rivers; as well as in Tobago, including the Crooks and Darrell Spring Rivers.

The Disaster Management Units of the Regional Corporations, as well as the T&T Regiment and other first responders continue to render assistance to communities still battling floodwaters, even as they brace for more flooding, as more rainfall is predicted for later today and into tonight.

Forecasters say for this afternoon and tonight:

“Partly cloudy/ cloudy periods with occasional showers will interrupt sunshine in some areas. There is a medium (60%) chance of a few heavy showers or isolated thunderstorms. Night will be partly cloudy with showers over few areas. Gusty winds and street/flash flooding can occur in the event of heavy showers or thunderstorms.”

For much of this week, Northern Trinidad, Tobago and surrounding marine areas were under a YELLOW Level Adverse Weather Alert as a tropical wave passed over both islands.

That weather system has evolved into Tropical Storm Julia, which currently is Julia is moving toward the west near 18 mph (30 km/h), according to an advisory from the National Hurricane Center in Miami, Florida. 

The NHC forecasters note:

“A westward motion with some decrease in forward speed is expected through Sunday.  On the forecast track, the center of Julia is expected to move across the southwestern Caribbean Sea during the next couple of days, passing near San Andres and Providencia Islands Saturday evening, and reaching the coast of Nicaragua Sunday morning.  After landfall, Julia or its remnants are expected to turn west-north-westward and move across Central America through Monday.”