Met Office Chief: Increasing Opportunities Barbados could be affected during hurricane season

TThe country’s top weather watcher has predicted that seven of the 22 named storms expected to cross the Atlantic this season will head toward the eastern Caribbean with greater intensity.

And the chances of a cyclone hitting Barbados are increasing, said Sabu Best, director of the Barbados Meteorological Services (BMS).

He also urged the country to brace for record-breaking heat through September, fluctuating rainfall and the likelihood of sudden extreme weather that may have no warning.

In a special online video review of recent seasons and the BMS forecast for this season, which officially begins June 1, Best urged Barbadians not to focus on the number of storms, but on the fact that they have above-average and that only one is needed. of them to cause widespread destruction.

Best said: “The center of these systems has moved closer to Barbados in recent years. We have to be ready. This is the first thing it means to us. These systems develop early in the season. Therefore, they form further south. We’re seeing more and more tropical cyclones, and if you see more and more of them, it’s more than likely that you’re more likely to be affected.

“So we expect a very intense hurricane season. It’s not like we’re focusing on the actual number. Only one is needed. The fact that there will be so many means the chances are greater.”

The BMS experimental models came up with seven named storms, four of which will become hurricanes and two will become major hurricanes.

“But I don’t want you to focus on the number,” Best emphasized. “What is important here is to understand that even in our area where tropical cyclone development will occur, it will be above average.”

While there will be early warnings of major events such as storms or hurricanes, there will be little or no reporting of severe thunderstorms that can happen within minutes, the BMS director added, suggesting residents should remain vigilant for changes in the atmosphere.

He suggested that citizens use the BMS app on their smartphones or check its social media pages.

“One of the best things someone told me they do is use their senses,” the weather expert said. ‘Look outside. If the outside looks a bit gray and strange, check the weather forecast.”

On rainfall accumulations on the island during the wet season which also starts on June 1, he said he expected “a bit of fluctuation” from average to above average levels.

“If a lot of systems have to be developed and pass north of Barbados, that could block a lot of the rainfall, normal large-scale rainfall,” the lead forecaster said. “And you will see many more isolated areas of heavy rainfall. That’s what we had last year. So you see a disparity in the accumulation of rainfall across different parts of the island. We are confident that this will happen again this year.”

He explained that this means that there will be flooding in some parts of the country and not in others.

Looking at the heat wave gripping the island, Best predicted that last year’s record high of 34.2 degrees Celsius may be broken this season.

He said: “This year the peak is already above the average of maximum maximum temperatures. . . (combined) with the fact that the oceans are warmer, it’s possible we could get very close to or even break that record this year.”

Best warned that nights will become increasingly uncomfortable as even average low temperatures will rise.

“Bridgetown will be hotter because it is a built-up area and higher elevations will be a bit cooler during the day,” he said. “September is the peak of our heat season, especially when there are storms that move north and cut off the air supply. We expect temperatures to actually rise comfortably. . . 34 and possibly a high of 35 degrees Celsius in Bridgetown and urban areas.

“In the center of the island there will actually be highs of 30 or 31, which is quite high. . . maybe a degree. . . one and a half degrees above what is actually normal. So it’s getting hot. It is a case where we have to understand what is going to happen.”

Best warned that September “can be very hot, very warm and uncomfortable, especially at night in September. We have to be ready for that, and if you have that knowledge, you know what is coming, you can prepare for it.”

The Met Office chief advised people and organizations to ensure they have contingency plans in place for the immediate onset of such extreme events as a severe thunderstorm, heavy rain and even a tsunami.

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