Montserrat Air Quality Alert Extended to Friday, 15 July 2022, due to the continued presence of Saharan Dust particles in the Atmosphere!

According to an Air Quality Bulletin issued by the Antigua and Barbuda Meteorological Services Tuesday at midnight, the air quality is down to moderate levels as a result of particulate matters 2.5 and 10, associated with a fresh surge in the Saharan Dust.
Hence, the threat of health problems is forecast to be elevated, for mainly unusually sensitive people, such as asthmatics, and could potentially cause them limited health impacts.

Therefore, active children and adults, and, people with respiratory diseases such as asthma, should limit prolonged outdoor exertion.

The Disaster Management Coordination Agency (DMCA) is advising residents who are unusually sensitive to dust particles to remain extra vigilant due to moderate concentrations of Saharan dust in the atmosphere! Residents with respiratory issues such as asthma should keep windows and doors closed as much as possible.

The DMCA is further advising residents to limit dust entering their system as best as possible by using masks and protective eyewear. Any masks that filter small particles should be worn such as a surgical mask, N95 and KN95 when going outside.

Air quality index: 51 to 80

Alert Level: II

Sensitive groups: People with respiratory or heart disease, the elderly and children are the groups most at risk.

Health implications: Air quality is acceptable; however, for some pollutants, there may be moderate health concerns for a very small number of people who are unusually sensitive to air pollution.

Continue to monitor DMCA Facebook, Instagram and Twitter social media sites and our website http://dmca.gov.ms for daily weather updates, public advisories and warnings and information on the wide range of natural and man-made hazards that have the potential to impact Montserrat.

8 AM UPDATE: Further development of Tropical Disturbance 2, located about 100 miles east of the Windward is unlikely, due to factors such as the presence of storm-shredding wind shear; the chance of formation is low – 10% in five days.

Yellow Hill – Friday, 1 July 2022 – The Disaster Management Coordination Agency, DMCA will continue to monitor Tropical Disturbance 2 which forecasters say is fizzling until the system passes Montserrat.

The National Hurricane Center, NHC states that the disturbance continues to produce disorganized showers and thunderstorms. The associated shower activity and gusty winds are expected to spread across the Windward Islands later today.

It states that any development of this system should be slow to occur during the next day or so before the wave moves into unfavourable conditions over the eastern Caribbean Sea.

There is a 10 percent chance of formation into a tropical cyclone in 48 hours and a 10 percent chance of formation in 5 days.

At this time this system is currently no threat to Montserrat and, there are no watches or warnings issued for Montserrat.

The DMCA is encouraging residents to review their hurricane plans, complete their hurricane preparations now and continue to monitor the Atlantic in the event of any changes with this system.

The Disaster Management Coordination Agency, DMCA will continue to monitor the Atlantic for any development with Tropical Disturbance 2 and provide regular updates as information is released from the NHC.

8 AM UPDATE: Tropical Disturbance 2, located in the Western Tropical Atlantic is not expected to form before reaching Montserrat; the chance of formation is low – 10% in five days.

Yellow Hill – Thursday, 30 June 2022 – The Disaster Management Coordination Agency, DMCA will continue to monitor Tropical Disturbance 2 until the system passes Montserrat.

The National Hurricane Center, NHC states that the disturbance located several hundred miles east of the Windward Islands is producing disorganized showers and thunderstorms.

It states that any development of this system should be slow to occur while the wave moves west-northwestward during the next day or two. The wave is forecast to move over the Windward Islands on Friday and then over the eastern Caribbean Sea by the weekend, where further development is unlikely due to unfavourable environmental conditions.

There is a 10 percent chance of formation into a tropical cyclone in 48 hours and a 10 percent chance of formation in 5 days.

At this time this system is currently no threat to Montserrat and, there are no watches or warnings issued for Montserrat.

The DMCA is encouraging residents to review their hurricane plans, complete their hurricane preparations now and continue to monitor the Atlantic in the event of any changes with this system.

The Disaster Management Coordination Agency, DMCA will continue to monitor the Atlantic for any development with Tropical Disturbance 2 and provide regular updates as information is released from the NHC.

High Chance of Showers Forecast for Montserrat Today, associated with a Steep Pressure Gradient producing Moderate to Fresh wind flow!

And, The Small Craft Warning for Open Waters on the Atlantic Side of Montserrat has been downgraded to a Small Craft Advisory due to an improvement in the sea conditions.

However, Inexperienced Mariners, especially those operating smaller vessels should avoid navigating in these conditions as large open water swells can be hazardous to some vessels and the operation of smaller vessels can be difficult at times due to large swells.

Continue to monitor DMCA Facebook, Instagram and Twitter social media sites and our website http://dmca.gov.ms for daily weather updates, public advisories and warnings and information on the wide range of natural and man-made hazards that have the potential to impact Montserrat.

Disclaimer: The Disaster Management Coordination Agency (DMCA) is the national body responsible for coordinating the management of emergencies and disasters in Montserrat, and is not an official Meteorological Agency. The Information disseminated by the Department is gathered from a number of professional sources utilized by the DMCA and the Antigua and Barbuda Meteorological Services, the agency responsible for aviation weather products and services for Montserrat.

8 AM UPDATE: DMCA Monitors Tropical Disturbance 2, located in the Central Atlantic; At this time, the system is currently no threat to Montserrat!

Yellow Hill – Wednesday, 29 June 2022 – The Disaster Management Coordination Agency, DMCA is monitoring a tropical wave located over the central tropical Atlantic is producing disorganized showers and a few thunderstorms.

The National Hurricane Center, NHC states that slow development of the system (yellow) is possible while it moves west-northwestward for the next few days. The system is forecast to move over the Windward Islands late Friday or early Saturday and then over the eastern Caribbean Sea by the weekend, where further development is unlikely due to unfavourable environmental conditions.

There is a 0 percent chance of formation into a tropical cyclone in 48 hours and a 30 percent chance of formation in 5 days.

At this time this system is currently no threat to Montserrat and, there are no watches or warnings issued for Montserrat.

The DMCA is encouraging residents to review their hurricane plans, complete their hurricane preparations now and continue to monitor the Atlantic in the event of any changes with this system.

The Disaster Management Coordination Agency, DMCA will continue to monitor the Atlantic for any development with Tropical Disturbance 2 and provide regular updates as information is released from the NHC.

Small Craft Warning Remains in Effect for Open Waters on the Atlantic Side of Montserrat until Wednesday night, due to Hazardous Seas!

That’s According to a Small Craft Caution issued by the Antigua and Barbuda Meteorological Services late Tuesday night.

Small Craft Operators on Montserrat should stay in or near port, seek safe harbour, alter course, and/or secure their vessels from severe conditions.

Locations to be affected: Especially open Atlantic waters.

Timing: until Wednesday night for Montserrat

Synopsis: Fresh to strong gusty winds are causing a combination of wind waves and wind swells to reach hazardous levels, especially in open waters on the Atlantic sides of the islands. The threat level to the life, livelihood, property and infrastructure of mariners is high, and there is the potential for extensive impacts. A small craft warning means that wind speeds of 41 km/h or higher (22 knots or higher) and or wind waves and or wind swells of 2.7 metres (9 feet) or greater are occurring or imminent.

Winds over open waters: East at 26 to 41 km/h (14 to 22 knots; 16 to 25 mph), with strong gusts to around 63 km/h (34 knots; 39 mph).

Seas (significant wave heights): 2 to 3 metres (7 to 10 feet), occasionally or locally reaching near 3.8 metres (13 feet). Wind waves and or wind swells: 2 to 3 metres or 7 to 10 feet and occasionally higher. The worst conditions are likely Tuesday night and Wednesday when seas and winds are expected to be highest.

Potential impacts: Loss of life; injuries; capsize or damage or loss of vessels and marine equipment; sea search and rescue disruptions; cancellations to sea transportation; scarcity of seafood; cancellation of marine recreation and businesses and economic losses.

Continue to monitor DMCA Facebook, Instagram and Twitter Pages and our website for daily updates.

DMCA Monitors Tropical Disturbance 2, located in the Central Atlantic; At this time, the system is currently no threat to Montserrat!

Yellow Hill – Tuesday, 28 June 2022 – The Disaster Management Coordination Agency, DMCA is monitoring a Tropical Wave located over the central tropical Atlantic producing disorganized showers and a few thunderstorms.

The National Hurricane Center, NHC states that this system (yellow) is forecast to interact with another tropical wave over the next several days and some gradual development is possible later this week while the overall system moves west-northwestward at around 15 mph across the central tropical Atlantic.

There is a 0 percent chance of formation into a tropical cyclone in 48 hours and a 20 percent chance of formation in 5 days.

At this time this system is currently no threat to Montserrat and, there are no watches or warnings issued for Montserrat.

The DMCA is encouraging residents to review their hurricane plans, complete their hurricane preparations now and continue to monitor the Atlantic in the event of any changes with this system.

The Disaster Management Coordination Agency, DMCA will continue to monitor the Atlantic for any development with Tropical Disturbance 2 and provide regular updates as information is released from the NHC.

Air Quality Across Montserrat is Forecast to remain in the Moderate Category through Friday, due to the presence of Saharan Dust particles in the Atmosphere!

According to a recent Air Quality Alert issued by the Antigua and Barbuda Meteorological Services the threat of health problems is forecast to be elevated, for mainly unusually sensitive people, such as asthmatics, and could potentially cause them limited health impacts.

Therefore, active children and adults, and, people with respiratory diseases such as asthma, should limit prolonged outdoor exertion.

The Disaster Management Coordination Agency (DMCA) is advising residents who are unusually sensitive to dust particles to remain extra vigilant due to moderate concentrations of Saharan dust in the atmosphere! Residents with respiratory issues such as asthma should keep windows and doors closed as much as possible.

The DMCA is further advising residents to limit dust entering their system as best as possible by using masks and protective eyewear. Any masks that filter small particles should be worn such as a surgical mask, N95 and KN95 when going outside.

Air Quality Index Based on Particulate Matters 2.5 (PM2.5) and 10 (PM10) Concentration.

Air quality category: Moderate

Timing: Until Friday

Synopsis: The air quality is down to moderate levels as a result of particulate matters 2.5 and 10, associated with a fresh surge in the Saharan Dust. The threat of health problems is elevated, for
mainly unusually sensitive people, such as asthmatics, and could potentially cause them limited health impacts.

Air quality index: 51 to 70

Alert Level: II

Sensitive groups: People with respiratory or heart disease, the elderly and children are the groups most at risk.

Health implications: Air quality is acceptable; however, for some pollutants, there may be moderate health concerns for a very small number of people who are unusually sensitive to air pollution.

Continue to monitor DMCA Facebook, Instagram and Twitter Pages and our website for daily updates.

Antigua and Barbuda Meteorological Services Issues Small Craft Warning for Open Waters on the Atlantic Side of Montserrat later this afternoon for Above Normal Swell Heights!

Small Craft Operators on Montserrat should stay in or near port, seek safe harbour, alter course, and/or secure their vessels from severe conditions.

Locations to be affected: Especially open Atlantic waters.

Timing: until Wednesday night

Synopsis: Fresh to strong winds are causing a combination of wind waves and wind swells to reach hazardous levels, especially in open waters on the Atlantic sides of the islands. The threat
level to the life, livelihood, property and infrastructure of mariners is high, and there is the potential for extensive impacts. A small craft warning means that wind speeds of 41 km/h or
higher (22 knots or higher) and or wind waves and or wind swells of 2.7 metres (9 feet) or greater are occurring or imminent.

Winds over open waters: East at 26 to 41 km/h (14 to 22 knots; 16 to 25 mph), with strong gusts to around 63 km/h (34 knots; 39 mph).

Seas (significant wave heights): 2 to 3 metres (7 to 10 feet), occasionally or locally reaching near 3.8 metres (13 feet). Wind waves and or wind swells: 2 to 3 metres or 7 to 10 feet and occasionally higher. The worst conditions are likely Tuesday night and Wednesday when seas and winds are expected to be highest.

Potential impacts: Loss of life; injuries; capsize or damage or loss of vessels and marine equipment; sea search and rescue disruptions; cancellations to sea transportation; scarcity of seafood; cancellation of marine recreation and businesses and economic losses.

Continue to monitor DMCA Facebook, Instagram and Twitter Pages and our website for daily updates.

5 PM UPDATE: Three (3) Tropical Disturbances in the Atlantic and the Gulf of Mexico. At this time, Tropical Disturbances 2 and 1 (AL94) are currently no Threat to Montserrat. However, DMCA Monitors a New Tropical Disturbance (3) in the Atlantic with a 20% chance of cyclone formation in 5 days.

According to Monday’s Tropical Cyclone Information Statement issued by the Antigua and Barbuda Meteorological Services on Tropical Disturbance AL94, it states that at the reasonable worst-case, the likely tropical cyclone poses little to no wind threat to Montserrat. No immediate preparations are needed; however, RESIDENTS should be prepared for the hurricane season.

It added that the threat from winds will likely remain little to none for Montserrat. Above normal winds will further deteriorate hazardous seas, in open waters.

At 5 PM, Tropical Disturbance AL94 was centered near latitude 8.6 North, longitude 50.9 West. The system is moving toward the west-northwest near 18 mph, and this general motion is expected to continue for the next few days. On the forecast track, the system will pass near or over portions of the southern Windward Island by late Tuesday, and move over the southern Caribbean Sea on Wednesday and Thursday.

Maximum sustained winds are near 40 mph with higher gusts. Some strengthening is forecast during the next 48 hours.

There is a 70 percent chance of formation into a tropical cyclone in 48 hours and a 90 percent chance of formation in 5 days.

Tropical Disturbance 3 is located several hundred miles southwest of the Cabo Verde Islands. Environmental conditions could become conducive for gradual development later this week while the system moves west-northwestward at around 15 mph over the central tropical Atlantic. There is a 0 percent chance of formation into a tropical cyclone in 48 hours and a 20 percent chance of formation in 5 days.

Tropical Disturbance 2 located in the Northern Gulf of Mexico poses no threat to Montserrat.

The Disaster Management Coordination Agency, DMCA will continue to monitor the Tropical Disturbances and will provide regular updates as new information is released.