Caribbean360: Bad weather rolling through the Caribbean

Bad weather rolling through the Caribbean
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Chris Hoyos on 02/08/2012 10:58:00
 
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, Thursday August 2, 2012 – The Caribbean is battening
down the hatches as two tropical waves sweep the region in quick succession.
Further north, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Hispaniola and the Bahamas, are bracing
against thunderstorms and high winds as one tropical wave has started to batter
those islands and is expected over a 48-hour period to bring the most
significant and widespread rainfall in months to those islands.
The second area of low pressure that gathered in the Atlantic, south-east of the
Windward Islands, is causing concerns for Martinique and Guadeloupe, Dominica,
St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Grenada and Barbados. A tropical storm
watch is now in effect for those islands.
The wet weather is moving west over the coming days but according to America's
National Hurricane Center (NHC), the 'disorganised' showers are unlikely to
develop into a hurricane. However, if it does, it will be named “Ernesto”.
This fifth tropical depression of the 2012 Atlantic Hurricane Season is packing
winds of just 35 MPH but strengthening is anticipated and it is expected to
become a tropical storm by late tonight as it makes its way gradually toward the
Lesser Antilles.
In Barbados, revellers and business people alike are keeping a close eye on
weather reports as the system is expected to start causing havoc right in the
middle of the climax of that island’s annual Crop Over carnival celebrations.
Heavy rains are almost certain to sweep across this country tomorrow morning,
but indications are Barbados will escape a direct hit from the latest weather
system to approach the island, according to the DAILY NATION, which interviewed
acting senior meteorologist Clairmonte Williams, who told the newspaper that if
the system continued on its present track it could pass to the north of the
island.
This suggests that patrons planning to attend Friday’s popular Pic-O-De-Crop
Finals could be in for a wet and stormy evening and those who attend the
following ‘Foreday Morning’ street carnival and Bridgetown Market over the
weekend are likely to fare no better. However, the system is expected to be well
on its way north by Monday, possibly sparing those who attend the grand finale
Kadooment Day parade.
By Sunday or Monday the system could reach near Jamaica but beyond Jamaica, it
is highly unclear where it will go.
And, while not in a direct path of danger, authorities on Trinidad and Tobago
are not taking any chances and the Meteorological Services there are keeping a
close eye on the system.
According to the Trinidad Express, the system is also being closely monitored by
the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Management (ODPM), which has placed all
first responder agencies and emergency support organisations on alert so that
immediate assistance can be rendered if needed.
The Meteorological Services said they are will advise the ODPM if there are any
noteworthy changes and citizens have been advised to monitor the ODPM website,
Facebook page, and all media for the most current information. Click here to
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