BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – RAINY and overcast conditions being experienced across the Federation of St. Christopher and Nevis are expected to continue into this the evening as a tropical wave is making its way through the Eastern Caribbean.
Since the early hours of today (July 30), heavy intermittent showers and accompanying gusts of wind have caught some unaware and left them wondering what – if anything – was brewing.
According to the St. Kitts Meteorological Office, the showers and gusts are the result of a disorganised tropical wave that is moving in a westerly direction across the Leeward Islands.
A forecast issued by the Met Office – which is valid until 8:00 a.m. tomorrow – explains that “Cloudy periods with showers, some of which could be heavy at times. Few isolated thunderstorms could also develop tonight: cloudy skies with showers and possible isolated thunderstorms”.
Further information which this publication gleaned from the Met Office is that between 8:00 p.m. yesterday and 8:00 a.m. today, a total of 15.4 mm of rainfall has been recorded. It is understood that that amount of rainfall is average during the hurricane season.
National Disaster Coordinator Carl Herbert – in speaking with SKNVibes - issued a reminder to residents to avoid parking their vehicles in ghauts and other watercourses, especially with the passage of this tropical wave.
“As we experience the passage of a tropical wave, we want to remind residents to avoid parking in ghuats and watercourses in order to avoid possible loss of life or injury to life and also loss of property such as vehicles. We also want to remind residents that we are still in hurricane season and we are asking persons to continue to do all that is necessary within their control to be prepared.”
Others areas – according to the Met Office – which are expected to be affected by this weather system include Hispaniola and Puerto Rico.
