More showers likely
Heavy showers, the likes of what some Barbadians experienced this past weekend, could affect the island again in a few days’ time.
On Sunday “localised activity” resulted in torrential rains plummeting the North-Western and Northern parts of the island, causing flash flooding in some communities in St. Peter, in particularly Speightstown. This, Acting Meteorologist 1, Racquel Davis says, was due indirectly to Hurricane Paulette. Speaking to The Barbados Advocate yesterday, Davis explained that Hurricane Paulette, though well North of the island chain, caused a reduction in wind speeds and that, coupled with “adequate moisture” in the atmosphere, made the conditions ripe for localised activity.
“Localised activity is not weather that is coming from the East to the West that would affect us, it actually builds and grows over the island and that is why it was so intense yesterday [Sunday], because we had the moisture available, the winds were light and the cloud grew over the island,” she said.
She explained that a similar situation could occur later this week as Tropical Storm Teddy makes its way across the Atlantic. She indicated that there is expected to be a reduction in wind speeds over the island from midweek and Barbadians can expect “uncomfortably hot conditions” during the day and night and more localised activity could result in some communities experiencing showers and flash flooding again.
Davis went on to say that persons should also brace for dust haze which is ahead of Tropical Storm Teddy. She said that dust haze, which is proving to be a problem for the storm, is expected to be in the local atmosphere by Wednesday, but she noted it is not too significant.
Davis’ comments came as she noted that at present the Atlantic Basin is a hive of activity – at the time of the interview, there were two hurricanes – Paulette and Sally; two tropical storms – Teddy and Vicky and a depression – Rene. The Acting Meteorologist explained that based on the current locations and forecast tracks for those systems, none pose a threat to Barbados.
Reflecting on the increased activity in the Atlantic at the moment, Davis indicated that it is not particularly strange for this time of the year, as September is usually the peak of the Hurricane Season. She added that this year was also predicted to be an extremely active one. Her comments came as she pointed out, that with only one of the 21 names allotted to be used this year remaining, any other storms that form after that name is used, will be named with Greek letters. She said the last time that the Greek alphabet was pressed into service was 2005, when there were a record 27 named storms. The Acting Meteorologist is therefore urging Barbadians not to let down their guard, as she said the season is only midway.
(JRT)