Castries, Saint Lucia: The Saint Lucia Meteorological Services has been forecasting unstable weather conditions associated due to the passage of a Tropical Wave which is currently affecting the Lesser Antilles.
Heavy downpours associated with the system have caused flooding in low lying areas. The soil in Saint Lucia has been witnessing saturation due to continued rainfall and thunderstorm activity in recent days.
Significant run-offs from higher elevation points can contribute to flooding, landslides, land slippage and rock fall. NEMO is advising motorists, commuters and the general public to exercise extreme caution when venturing out.
A tropical wave with support from upper trough and jet stream will continue to cause mostly light to moderate showers, some periods of rain in the Lesser Antilles. Heavy showers and isolated thunderstorms are more likely in the southern islands. Gusty winds are likely near showers. The risk of flash flooding and landslides remains elevated.
Earlier today, periods of very heavy rainfall in parts of Martinique with flash flooding and rapid rises of rivers. Generally 25-75mm, but some areas of 100-150mm [NOT1500 as I had earlier ] show on radar estimates and in rain gauges.
Tropical wave moisture is being enhanced by an upper trough which is bringing intermittent periods of moderate to heavy showers and isolated thunderstorms to the Lesser Antilles. Some of the rainfall can accumulate quickly and cause flash flooding and landslides. A trade wind surge has also pushed thru so winds can be gusty near showers with slight haze.
Further, there are areas of moderate to heavy showers over the Windwards and some earlier in NE Trinidad and Tobago. Grenada has reported some thundershowers in the southern half. Some of these have briefly very heavy with higher rain rates.
In the Bay of Campeche/SW Gulf of Mexico, Tropical Storm Jaren formed this afternoon after a low pressure which was the northern portion of former Julia settled there… that region is known to provide a good environment of semi-circular coastline and mountains which helps cyclones spin up faster.
