Message Board Archives

Trinidad under tropical storm watch, Tobago on hurricane warning

Trinidad is now under a tropical storm watch. At 11.02 am, the TT Meteorological Service issued its first storm watch warning for Trinidad which is on yellow level alert. The Met Office said this means tropical storm conditions, including sustained winds of 63 to 118 kilometres per hour (km/h), are possible somewhere within the watch area, in this case within 24 hours. “At 11 am today (June 20), Hurricane Beryl was centred about 640 km east-southeast of Tobago. Beryl is moving westward near 34km/h.

Earlier, in its 8 am update, Tobago was upgraded to orange-level hurricane warning by the Met Office. “This means there is a higher potential for hurricane conditions, including sustained winds in excess of 100 km/h, within the warning area, within the next 30 hours,” the Met Office said. The hurricane has been upgraded by forecasters to a "very dangerous" category three storm - meaning it is predicted to have winds of 111-130mph (179-209km/h).

“As Beryl approaches the southern Windwards on Monday, there is a high chance (60-80 per cent) of hurricane-force winds impacting Tobago. “Heavy showers and thunderstorms are likely from Monday, and sea conditions can become choppy and rough.” Tobagonians were advised to take immediate action to protect lives, livelihoods, and property. Caribbean leaders are not only worried about Beryl, but also about a cluster of thunderstorms closely following Beryl’s path that had a 70% chance of becoming a tropical depression by the middle of this week.