The 2021 Atlantic Hurricane Season was forecast to be an active season. However, in a rare event this season, the Atlantic basin is without any tropical systems. Not one tropical storm has prowled the Atlantic Basin since October 6, the longest such dry run in eight years, says the National Hurricane Center.

As we enter into the latter part of the Atlantic Hurricane season, where tropical development drops considerably in comparison to the peak part of the season, residents must remain vigilant and be prepared.

While conditions at this time do not favour any tropical development, the season overall is far from over, and we must maintain our vigilance. We have seen in recent years strong development of storms well into November.

According to Antigua and Barbuda Meteorological Services Morning Weather forecast, a lingering instabilty, along with light southerly winds and afternoon heating, will maintain a moderate chance of showers over the Leewards which include Montserrat. Hence, the weather today will be partly cloudy and hazy this morning becoming locally cloudy this afternoon with a 60% or moderate chance of localize showers.

The Disaster Management Coordination Agency, DMCA, is appealing to children, the elderly and those living with respiratory and heart ailments to have their necessary medications on hand, wear a mask when outside, limit exertion and outdoor activities, keep windows and doors closed as well as wear goggles and sunglasses.

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

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.

As the ground is already saturated from previous rainfall, there’s the potential for flash floods in some areas. Therefore, 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 today’s Weather Forecast for Montserrat – Friday October 15, 2021:

Winds: South-southeasterly at 5 to 12 mph.

Seas: 4 feet.Sunset today: 5:48 pm.

Weather Report: Antigua and Barbuda Meteorological ServicesLenard Josiah-Forecaster

The Antigua and Barbuda Meteorological Services said there’s a 60% or a moderate chance of showers today associated with the presence of a mid to upper-level trough across the area, coupled with light southerly winds, daytime heating and available low-level moisture. As a result, this could increase the chances for shower activity over and around the islands at times during the next 24 hours. There’ll be partly cloudy skies, becoming locally cloudy at times.

Due to soil water saturation from previous rainfall, the Disaster Management Coordination Agency (DMCA) urges residents to be careful in areas prone to landslides and rockfalls and take the necessary precautions.

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.

As the ground is already saturated from previous rainfall, there’s the potential for flash floods in some areas. Therefore, 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.

The rest of Today’s Weather Forecast for Montserrat Below:

Weather today: Partly cloudy skies, becoming locally cloudy at times with a 60 percent or moderate chance of showers.

Winds: South-southeast at 5 to 12 mph.

Seas: 4 feet.Sunset today: 5:49 pm.

Weather Report: Antigua and Barbuda Meteorological ServicesBernell Simon-Forecaster

The Antigua and Barbuda Meteorological Services in an Air Quality Bulletin today, Wednesday, October 13, 2021, states that there is also high confidence that emissions from the volcano in La Palma, Canary Islands are also reaching the area.

It went on to say that the threat of health problems is elevated for mainly unusually sensitive people, such as asthmatics and could potentially cause them limited impacts.

The Meteorological Services is also cautioning active children and adults and people with respiratory disease, such as asthma, to limit prolonged outdoor exertion.

The rest of the Air Quality Bulletin below: Air Quality Index Based on Particulate Matters 2.5 (PM2.5) and 10 (PM10) Concentration

Air quality category: Moderate Location: Montserrat

Timing: Until FridaySynopsis: The air quality is back down to moderate levels again as a result of particulate matters 2.5 and 10, associated primarily with a surge in Saharan Dust. There is also high confidence that emissions from the volcano in La Palma, Canary Islands are also reaching the area. The threat of health problems is 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.

Dale Destin

The Antigua and Barbuda Meteorological Services said there’s a 70% chance of showers tonight as the atmosphere remains relatively moist and unstable across the Leeward Islands which include Montserrat.

The Disaster Management Coordination Agency (DMCA) urges residents to 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.

Motorists are advised to be extra careful when driving in these conditions as wet weather driving can be hazardous, causing skidding.

Residents are urged to be careful in areas prone to landslides and rockfalls and take the necessary precautions.

The DMCA strongly appeals to residents to exercise extreme caution in areas prone to flash flooding and avoid those areas that are subject to sudden flash flooding, such as Carrs Bay.

Below, Tonight’s Weather Forecast for Montserrat – Wednesday October 13, 2021:

Synopsis: The atmosphere across the Leeward Islands remains relatively moist and unstable. This will continue to support cloudiness and showers across the Islands over the next 24 hours.

Weather tonight: Partly cloudy to cloudy with a 70% or high chance of showers.

Winds: Southeast at 8 to 15 mph.Seas: 5 to 8 feet; with northeasterly swells of 6 feet. The high surf advisory remains in effect..

Sunrise tomorrow: 6:01 am.

Remember, the weather can change at a moment’s notice, Stay Ahead! Events such as flash floods can occur with little or no warning due to prolonged rain, rain showers in the higher elevations and the soil already saturated.

Weather Report: Antigua and Barbuda Meteorological ServicesOrvin Paige-Forecaster

The Disaster Management Coordination Agency (DMCA) urges residents to 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.

Motorists are advised to be extra careful when driving in these conditions as wet weather driving can be hazardous, causing skidding.

Residents are urged to be careful in areas prone to landslides and rockfalls and take the necessary precautions.

Tonight’s Weather Forecast for Montserrat below:

Synopsis: Moisture and instability associated with a tropical wave, will continue to heighten the chances for cloudiness and showers across the Leeward Islands which include Montserrat over the next 24 hours. Possible rainfall total for the forecast period is 0.2 to 0.6 inch.Weather tonight: Cloudy with showers.

Seas: 5 to 8 feet; with northeasterly swells up to 6 feet. The high surf advisory remains in effect.

Sunrise tomorrow: 6:01 pm.

Temperatures: daytime high to reach 32°C or 90°F.

Remember, the weather can change at a moment’s notice, Stay Ahead! Events such as flash floods can occur with little or no warning due to prolonged rain, rain showers in the higher elevations and the soil already saturated.

Weather Report: Antigua and Barbuda Meteorological Services Orvin Paige-Forecaster

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

The rest of the Marine Weather Message issued by the Antigua and Barbuda Meteorological Services on Tuesday October 12, 2021 below:

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

Timing: Until Thursday.

Synopsis: Moderate long period swells are reaching the area, affecting mainly northeast-facing coastlines. The threat level to the life, livelihood, property and infrastructure of those using the affected coastlines is high, with the potential for extensive impacts. These swells are expected to cause life-threatening surfs and rip currents near 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 2.5 metres (6 to 8 feet), occasionally or locally reaching over 3 metres (over 10 feet). Swell period: 10 to 15 seconds. Swells: Northeast at 1.5 to 2 metres (5 to 7 feet) and occasionally higher.

Surfs (breaking swells): 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

Tuesday October 12, 2021 – Disturbance 1, a tropical wave located near the Windward Islands has continued to become less organized this morning and development of the system is not expected. Locally heavy rainfall and gusty winds will be possible across portions of the central and northern Lesser Antilles today. Formation chance through 48 hours is near 0 percent. Formation chance through 5 days is near 0 percent.

The Disaster Management Coordination Agency, DMCA urges all residents to continue monitoring the tropics and to always be prepared during what’s expected to be an active hurricane season.

Monday October 11, 2021 – The National Hurricane Center, NHC says Tropical Disturbance 1 could see some additional development over the next few days as it moves west northwestward at about 15 mph toward the Lesser Antilles. However, strong upper-level winds are expected to limit further development on Tuesday.

Forecasters say regardless of the development, the system could bring heavy rainfall and gusty winds across portions of the central and northern Lesser Antilles on Tuesday, and across the Virgin Islands and Leeward Islands on Wednesday.

It has a 20% chance of formation in the next two days and 20% in the next five days.

The Disaster Management Coordination Agency, DMCA will continue to the monitor the system and provide regular updates as information is released from the NHC.

That’s according to an Air Quality Bulletin issued by the Antigua and Barbuda Meteorological Services today, Sunday October 10, 2021

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

Air quality category: ModerateLocation: Montserrat

Timing: Tonight until late tomorrow afternoonSynopsis: The air quality is to fall to moderate levels again as a result of particulate matters 2.5 and 10, associated primarily with a surge in Saharan Dust. There is also high confidence that emissions from the volcano in La Palma, Canary Islands are also reaching the area. The threat of health problems is forecast to 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 will be 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