Meteorologist Dale Destin for the Antigua and Barbuda Meteorological Service Climate Section said a cold front looks poised to cause a relatively very wet weekend across much of the northeast Caribbean, including Montserrat.

Destin stated that several reliable models are forecasting possible rainfall totals of 1 to 2 inches to fall over the period Friday, 4 February to Sunday, 6 February, 2022.

He said the potential total of 76 mm in 48 to 72 hours is not in and of itself a high figure. However, relative to February, this is a lot of water.

The Meteorologist postulated that the NOAA GFS model is indicating a 30-40% chance of more than 25 mm in 24 hours ending 8 am Saturday, 5 Feb, 2022. He added If the models prove right, this weekend would easily be the wettest in, at least, 16 weeks and the wettest month in four months.

Destin confirmed that the system has already caused wet weather across Hispaniola and Puerto Rico with isolated totals of up to 8 in. He further states that if this amount of rain was to reach Montserrat, it would cause absolutely wet conditions, but it is very unlikely that the island will get this lucky.

Source: Dale Destin, Meteorologist/Climatologist for the Antigua and Barbuda Meteorological Service Climate Section

Photo Credit: NOAA

“Celebrating our Culture, Heritage and Traditions Safely!

Click below to download a copy of the guide…

http://dmca.gov.ms/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Emergency-Preparedness-Guide-Celebrating-our-Culture-Heritage-and-Traditions-Safely.pdf

The 2021 Atlantic Hurricane Season officially ends today, Tuesday, November 30, 2021.

However, we must remember that tropical systems can and do form in December as we saw in 2005 and 2007. On December 11th, 2007, Tropical Storm Olga formed and ultimately impacted the Greater Antilles.

The 2021 Atlantic Hurricane season will go down as the third most active, with 21 named storms, seven hurricanes, and four major hurricanes. That total is more than what was predicted by NOAA at the beginning of the season in May.

However, this year 21 storms were much less than 2020 with 30 named storms.There were four major hurricanes this season: Grace, Ida, Larry, and Sam. The strongest of them were Ida and Sam, which both reached Category 4 strength. Grace and Larry peaked as Category 3 storms.The strongest storm of the year was Hurricane Ida, with wind speeds of 150 mph at the end of August. The storm claimed the lives of at least 29 people across Louisiana and three in Mississippi, destroying businesses and neighbourhoods and knocking out power to hundreds of thousands.

Although, today marks the official last day of the 2021 Atlantic Hurricane Season, the Disaster Management Coordination Agency, DMCA is reminding residents that Montserrat is vulnerable to many other natural and man-made hazards such as earthquakes, extreme rainfall events, flash floods, landslides, fires, volcanic activities tsunamis and transportation accidents among many other events, therefore we must always be prepared for any emergency situation.

Additionally, residents must remain vigilant in fighting the coronavirus by continuing to practice good hygiene, wearing masks or face coverings and social distancing to prevent the virus from spreading.

The Antigua and Barbuda Meteorological Services issued the following High Surf Advisory for Montserrat:

Locations to be affected: Reefs and exposed mainly north to east-facing coastlines with relatively shallow, gently to moderately sloping near shore areas.

Timing: Monday night until Wednesday.

Synopsis: Moderate long period swells are forecast to reach the area and affect mainly north to east-facing coastlines. The threat level to the life, livelihood, property and infrastructure of those using the affected coastlines is expected to rise to moderate, with the potential for significant impacts. These swells are expected to cause life-threatening surfs and rip currents for affected coastlines.

A high surf advisory means that dangerous surfs of 2 to 3 metres or 6 to 10 feet will affect some coastlines in the advisory area, producing hazardous conditions.

Seas (significant wave heights): 2 to 2.7 metres (6 to 9 feet), occasionally or locally reaching near 3.5 metres (12 feet).

Swell period: 9 to 14 seconds. Swells: Northeast at 1.2 to 2 metres (4 to 7 feet) and occasionally higher.

Surfs (breaking swells): Over 2 metres (over 6 feet). These conditions are conducive for dangerous rip currents. Please note that surfs could be as much as twice the height of swells, depending on the bathymetry of the near shore areas.

Coastal flooding: High tides combine with onshore wind and swell actions could result in localized coastal flooding and beach erosion.Potential Impacts: Loss of life–strong currents that can carry even the strongest swimmers out to sea; injuries to beachgoers; beach erosion; sea water splashing onto low lying coastal roads; beach closures; localized disruptions to marine recreation and businesses; financial losses; damage to coral reefs; saltwater intrusion and disruptions to potable water from desalination. High surfs can knock spectators off exposed rocks and jetties.

Precautionary: Beachgoers should be extremely cautious; bathe only where lifeguards are present or the sheltered, less affected beaches, mainly to the south and west.

Rip currents are powerful channels of water flowing quickly away from shore, which occur most often at low spots or breaks in the sandbar and near structures such as groins, jetties and piers. If caught in a rip current, relax and float. Don`t swim against the current. If able, swim in a direction following the shoreline. If unable to escape, face the shore and call or wave for help.

Forecaster: Dale Destin

That’s according to an Air Quality Bulletin, recently issued by the Antigua and Barbuda Meteorological Services.

It states that the air quality is down to moderate levels as a result of particulate matters 2.5 and 10, associated primarily with a fresh surge in Saharan Dust and that there’s high confidence that emissions from the volcano in La Palma, Canary Islands are also reaching the area; however, but the Dust dominates.

The Meteorological Agency has cautioned that the threat of health problems will become elevated for mainly unusually sensitive people, such as asthmatics and could potentially cause them limited impacts.

Air quality index: 50 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 a moderate health concern for a very small number of people who are unusually sensitive to air pollution.

Caution: Active children and adults, and people with respiratory diseases, such as asthma, should limit prolonged outdoor exertion.

The Disaster Management Coordination Agency is urging residents with respiratory and heart diseases to have their medications on hand at all times, wear a mask when outdoors and keep windows and doors closed.

Air Quality Bulletin: Dale Destin

Photo Credits: SkyTower

That’s according to a recently issued Air Quality Bulletin by the Antigua and Barbuda Meteorological Services.

It states that the air quality is down to moderate levels as a result of particulate matters 2.5 and 10, associated primarily with a fresh surge in Saharan Dust and that there’s high confidence that emissions from the volcano in La Palma, Canary Islands are also reaching the area; however, but the Dust dominates.

The Meteorological Agency has cautioned that the threat of health problems will become elevated for mainly unusually sensitive people, such as asthmatics and could potentially cause them limited impacts.

Air quality index: 60 to 90

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 a moderate health concern for a very small number of people who are unusually sensitive to air pollution.

Caution: Active children and adults, and people with respiratory diseases, such as asthma, should limit prolonged outdoor exertion.

The Disaster Management Coordination Agency is urging residents with respiratory and heart diseases to have their medications on hand at all times, wear a mask when outdoors and keep windows and doors closed.

Air Quality Bulletin: Dale Destin

Photo Credits: SkyTower

The Disaster Management Coordination Agency, DMCA urges active children and adults, and people with heart and respiratory and diseases, such as asthma to limit prolonged outdoor exertion, wear masks when outside and have their medications on hand.

Below, Today’s Weather Forecast for Montserrat – Friday, October 22, 2021:

Synopsis: Hazy and windy conditions continue across the Leeward Islands making for low chances for cloudiness and showers.

Weather Today: Partly cloudy and hazy with a 30% or low chance of showers.Winds: East, at 13 to 20 mph with possible higher gusts to near 30 mph.

Seas: 5 to 9 feet. The small craft advisory remains in effect.

Sunset today: 5:44 pm.

Weather Report: Antigua and Barbuda Meteorological ServicesOrvin Paige-Forecaster

That’s according to a recently issued Air Quality Bulletin, by the Antigua and Barbuda Meteorological Services.

It states that the air quality is down to moderate levels as a result of particulate matters 2.5 and 10, associated primarily with a fresh surge in Saharan Dust and that there’s high confidence that emissions from the volcano in La Palma, Canary Islands are also reaching the area; however, but the Dust dominates.

The Meteorological Agency has cautioned that the threat of health problems will become elevated for mainly unusually sensitive people, such as asthmatics and could potentially cause them limited impacts.

Air quality index: 60 to 90

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 a moderate health concern for a very small number of people who are unusually sensitive to air pollution.

Caution: Active children and adults, and people with respiratory diseases, such as asthma, should limit prolonged outdoor exertion, wear masks when outdoors and have their medications on hand.

Air Quality Bulletin: Dale Destin

Photo Credits: SkyTower

In an Air Quality Bulletin issued today, Wednesday, October 20, 2021, by the Antigua and Barbuda Meteorological Services, it states that the air quality is forecast to fall to moderate levels as a result of particulate matters 2.5 and 10, associated primarily with a surge in Saharan Dust.

It went on to say there is also high confidence that emissions from the volcano in La Palma, Canary Islands are also reaching the area.

The Meteorological Agency has cautioned that the threat of health problems will become elevated for mainly unusually sensitive people, such as asthmatics and could potentially cause them limited impacts.

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

Air quality category: Moderate

Timing: Wednesday night until Sunday

Air Quality index: 50 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 a moderate health concern for a very small number of people who are unusually sensitive to air pollution.

Caution: Active children and adults, and people with respiratory disease, such as asthma, should limit prolonged outdoor exertion.

Dale Destin

The Antigua and Barbuda Meteorological Services, in its morning weather forecast, states that a slack pressure gradient will continue to generate light winds over the area today. Whilst the morning period will be generally stable, daytime heating is expected to generate some unsettled conditions. Cloudy periods with showers and possible isolated thunderstorm activity could occur during the afternoon period. Hence, the weather today will be partly sunny then becoming increasingly cloudy with a 70% or a high chance of showers and a slight or a 20% chance of thunderstorms.

The Disaster Management Coordination Agency (DMCA) is urging residents to be careful in areas prone to landslides and rockfalls and take the necessary precautions as the soils are already saturated from previous rainfall.

Residents should exercise extreme caution when crossing the Belham Valley River as Lahars/mudflows can occur at any time without warning due to a significant amount of rainfall.

Wet weather driving can be hazardous, causing skidding and motorists need to be extra careful when driving in these conditions.

There’s the potential for flash floods in some areas due the fact that the ground is already saturated from previous rainfall. Hence, residents should exercise extreme caution in flash flood-prone areas during heavy rainfall, and every effort must be made to avoid those areas as much as possible.

Below, the rest of Tonight’s Weather Forecast for Montserrat – Monday October 18, 2021:

Winds: Variable at 9 to 17 km//h or 6 to 12 mph and becoming calm at times.

Seas: Not exceeding 1.2 metres or 4 feet.Sunset today: 5:46 pm.

Weather Report: Antigua and Barbuda Meteorological ServicesPatrice Edwards-Forecaster