By Sue-Ann Wayow
A STRONG Tropical Wave in the Atlantic Ocean is being closely monitored.
The Trinidad and Tobago Meteorological Service (TTMS) in a statement at 6.45 am today (Monday) said that the wave has the potential for cyclone development over the next few days.
The chance of tropical cyclone formation is high – 70% during the next 48 hours, and also high 90% over the next five days, TTMS stated.
TTMS stated that at 2 am on Monday, the axis of the wave was located near 45W.
Showers and thunderstorm activity associated with this tropical wave located about 950 miles east southeast of the Windward Islands has increased.
“Environmental conditions appear conducive for further development, and a tropical depression is likely to form during the next couple of days before the system reaches the Windward Islands Tuesday night or possibly while moving westward across the southern Caribbean Sea Wednesday through Friday,” TTMS said.
A US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Hurricane Hunter aircraft is scheduled to investigate the system on Monday afternoon, TTMS said.
The TTMS is warning that regardless of development of the system, significant moisture associated will bring heavy rainfall and gusty winds to Trinidad and Tobago and the Windward Islands from Tuesday night into Wednesday morning.
There are no watches or warnings in effect at this time.
The TTMS will continue to closely monitor this system and will issue another update at 6 pm or earlier.
Trinidad and Tobago already begun to experience heavy downpours on Sunday especially in South Trinidad with many persons having their electricity supply cut temporarily.
The showers also caused a traffic pile along the Solomon Hochoy Highway as the main roadway between south and north was flooded.
According to the Ministry of Rural Development and Local Government, there were five reports of major flooding on Sunday, three in the Couva/Tabaquite/Talparo
