Meteorologist/Reporter
kalain.hosein@guardian.co.tt
For the first time since 2017, the Trinidad and Tobago Meteorological Service (TTMS) has issued a Hot Spell Warning for the country.
The warning went into effect for both islands from 10.20 am yesterday (September 15), and remais in effect until 5 pm on September 29.
For the next 14 days, T&T will remain under this warning, the longest stretch one has ever been in effect for the country.
Hot temperatures have plagued the country since August, where maximum high temperatures exceeded 34.0°C at Piarco, Trinidad, and 33.0°C at Crown Point, Tobago. However, according to the TTMS, they are warning of sweltering conditions through September 29.
They explained, “There is a high (80%) probability that temperatures near 34.0°C or greater are expected to continue roughly over the next two weeks across Trinidad. Warm-to-hot conditions near 32.5°C or greater are expected to occur across Tobago.”
The Met Office added that in cities, urban and built-up areas, the maximum temperatures are expected to be high (near to or greater than 34.0°C) and feel-like temperatures, or the heat index, mainly when the winds are calm to light, will likely to range between 34.0°C and 44.0°C.
The hottest time of the day is between 10 am to 4 pm.
High temperatures can be hazardous to health, especially to the elderly, sick adults, and young children.
According to the Met Office, a proactive approach should be adopted to lessen the effects of hot spell conditions.
The TTMS advised the population to wear appropriate clothing, stay hydrated, and keep out of direct sunlight to avoid sunburn. Homeowners were also advised to open appropriate windows, vents and doors to ventilate at times.
Several factors have contributed to the country’s heat in recent weeks, with similar conditions expected through the end of the month. Trinidad and Tobago is in its heat season, which runs generally from March to October.
Typically, the islands experience mostly hot sunny periods and warm nights in September. The winds are usually weak, but according to the TTMS, moderate-strength winds occasionally come from the east to southeast at 20 to 30 kilometres per hour.
During this September, the TTMS said many climatic features are working together to promote warmer to hotter days. The winds are calm to light, with fewer cloudy periods, which enables greater incoming solar radiation, particularly during the mid-morning to afternoon periods.
The TTMS further explained that a moderately strong El Niño, which generally restricts cloud development, a negative phase of the North Atlantic Oscillation which encourages weak winds across the Caribbean, warmer than usual Atlantic Ocean Sea Surface Temperatures east of Trinidad and Tobago, the apparent local position of the sun at our latitude and the southeasterly flow of wind from the equatorial region, are all contributing to our excessive heat.
