The Antigua and Barbuda Meteorological Services said the threat of health problems is expected to be elevated for mainly unusually sensitive people such as asthmatics.

The Disaster Management Coordination Agency, DMCA, continues to encourage children, the elderly and those living with respiratory and heart disease to have their medications on hand, wear a mask and reduce physical exertion outdoors.

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

Air quality category: Moderate

Timing: Until Tuesday morning

Synopsis: The air quality is at moderate levels and will continue this way until Tuesday morning, as a result of a continuation of particulate matters 2.5 and 10, associated with a surge in Saharan Dust.

Air quality index: 50 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 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

In a Air Quality Bulletin issued this morning, the Antigua and Barbuda Meteorological Services said, yesterday the air quality reached unhealthy levels for sensitive groups, with the threat level being medium, one level above elevated. However, though the Air Quality has improved to moderate levels today, the threat of health problems is expected to be elevated, for mainly unusually sensitive people such as asthmatics.

The Disaster Management Coordination Agency, DMCA, continues to encourage the main vulnerable groups of people: children, the elderly and those living with respiratory and heart disease to have their medications on hand, wear a mask and reduce physical exertion outdoors.

The full Air Quality bulletin below:Air Quality Index Based on Particulate Matters 2.5 (PM2.5) and 10 (PM10) Concentration

Air quality category: Moderate

Timing: Until Tuesday morning

Synopsis: The air quality has improved to moderate levels and will continue this way until Tuesday morning, as a result of a continuation of particulate matters 2.5 and 10, associated with a surge in Saharan Dust. The threat of health problems is expected to be elevated, for mainly unusually sensitive people, such as asthmatics. Yesterday, the air quality reached unhealthy for sensitive groups, with the threat level being medium, one level above elevated.

Air quality index: 50 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 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 Disaster Management Coordination Agency, DMCA is encouraging the main vulnerable groups of people: children, the elderly and those living with respiratory and heart disease to have their medications on hand, wear a mask and reduce physical exertion outdoors.

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

Air quality category: Unhealthy for sensitive groups

Timing: Later this morning until tonight, decreasing to moderate levels tomorrow

Synopsis: The air quality is at moderate levels and is forecast to fall to unhealthy for sensitive groups, as a result of a further increase of particulate matters 2.5 and 10, associated with a fresh surge in Saharan Dust. The threat of health problems is elevated, for mainly unusually sensitive people, such as asthmatics. This threat level is expected to rise further to medium.

Air quality index: 70 to 110 Alert Level: III

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

Health implications: Increasing likelihood of respiratory symptoms in sensitive individuals, aggravation of heart or lung disease and premature mortality in persons with cardiopulmonary disease and the elderly.

Caution: Everyone should exercise caution, especially sensitive groups such as active children and adults, and people with heart or respiratory disease, such as asthma, should limit time outdoors and restrict outdoor activity. Also, keep windows and doors closed, as much as possible, and wear a face mask, rated to filter out PM 2.5, when going outside.

Dale Destin

The Antigua and Barbuda Meteorological Services said it continues to follow the progress of Major Hurricane Sam and the system is now moving out of the area.

In its tropical cyclone statement issued on Thursday September 30, 2021 at 11:45 am, it states that at the reasonable worst-case scenario, there is no potential for storm-force winds reaching Montserrat from Hurricane Sam. Hence, the cyclone poses no threat to Montserrat.

At 11 am, Major Hurricane Sam was centre over 370 miles nort-northheast of the Leeward Islands moving northwest at around 13 mph.

Maximum sustained winds are near 145 mph with higher gusts. Sam is a category 4 hurricane. Some fluctuations in intensity are expected during the next couple of days.

On its forecast track, the system will be out of the area by tomorrow. Notwithstanding, swells propagated by Sam have triggered high surf advisories and warnings.This is the last formal information statement on Hurricane Sam.

Residents should stay prepared for the rest of the hurricane season.

FORECASTER DALE DESTIN

Disturbance 1 located over the tropical Atlantic, about midway between the Cabo Verde Islands and the Lesser Antilles remains limited. This system is expected to move slowly west-northwest, and development is not anticipated, putting chances near 0% for it to develop into a tropical depression within five days.

Tropical Storm Victor located 550 miles south-southwest of the Cabo Verde Islands strengthened overnight with winds now up to 45 mph. Additional strengthening is forecast, and Victor could become a hurricane Friday before weakening over the weekend.

Hurricane Sam located 355 miles northeast of the Leeward Islands grew stronger overnight, with winds increasing to 145 mph. It’s expected to grow even stronger later today, with winds forecast to reach 150 mph within the next 12 hours.

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

That’s according to the Antigua and Barbuda Meteorological Services.

In its tropical cyclone statement issued today at 11:50 am, it states that at the reasonable worst-case scenario, there is no potential for storm-force winds reaching Montserrat from Sam. Hence, the cyclone poses little to no threat to Montserrat.

The Meteorological Services said it will continue to follow the progress of the Hurricane Sam.

At 11 am, Major Hurricane Sam was located about 345 miles east-northeast of the Leeward Islands moving northwest at around 9 mph. Maximum sustained winds are near 130 mph with higher gusts. Sam is a category 4 hurricane. Some fluctuations in intensity are expected during the next couple of days.

On its forecast track, the system is passing over 300 miles northeast of the islands and should be out of the area by Friday. Notwithstanding, swells propagated by Sam have triggered high surf advisories, which may be upgraded to warnings in the next 24 hours.

Residents should continue to follow the progress of Hurricane Sam until it is out of the area. Also, all should stay prepared for the rest of the hurricane season.

The next update will be around 11 am tomorrow or sooner, if required.

Forecaster Dale Destin

The Antigua and Barbuda Meteorological Services, in its latest tropical cyclone statement, issued on Tuesday September 28, 2021, states that Hurricane Sam is expected to pass a comfortable distance northeast of the Leeward Islands which include Montserrat tomorrow, Wednesday.

The Meteorological Services said given the reasonable worst-case scenario, there is no potential for storm-force winds reaching Montserrat from Sam. Hence, Hurricane Sam poses little to no threat Montserrat.

At 5 pm, Major Hurricane Sam was located about 530 miles east of the northern Leeward Islands which include Montserrat moving northwest at around 9 mph.

Maximum sustained winds are near 130 mph with higher gusts. Sam is a Category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Some fluctuations in intensity are expected during the next couple of days, but Sam is forecast to remain a major hurricane through late this week.

On its forecast track, the system is expected to pass over 190 miles northeast of the islands tomorrow and be out of the area by Friday. Notwithstanding, swells propagated by sam have triggered high surf advisories, which may be upgraded to warnings in the next 24 hours.

Residents should continue to follow the progress of Hurricane Sam until it is out of the area. Also, all should stay prepared for the rest of the hurricane season.

The Next Update will be around 11 am tomorrow or sooner, if required.

Forecaster Dale Destin

Tuesday, September 28, 2021 – The Disaster Management Coordination Agency, DMCA is monitoring Tropical Disturbances 1 and 2 in the Eastern Atlantic forecast to become tropical depressions later this week as they move west-northwest. Disturbance 1 has an 80% chance of formation through the next five days as of the 8 a.m. update, while the disturbance behind it, had slightly higher chances at 80% for the next two days and 90% for the next five.

The National Hurricane Center issued the following advisories on the disturbances:

Tropical Disturbance 1 located several hundred miles southwest of the Cabo Verde Islands continues to produce an area of disorganized showers and thunderstorms. Environmental conditions are conducive for gradual development, and a tropical depression is likely to form during the next couple of days while the system moves westward to west-northwestward at 5 to 10 mph over the central tropical Atlantic. Formation chance through 48 hours is 70%. Formation chance through 5 days is 80%.

Tropical Disturbance 2 is broad area of low pressure located over the far eastern tropical Atlantic. Environmental conditions are conducive for development, and a tropical depression is likely to form in a day or two while the disturbance moves west-northwestward at 10 to 15 mph over the eastern tropical Atlantic. Formation chance through 48 hours is 80%. Formation chance through 5 days is 90%.

It’s too early at this time to determine if there will be any impact to Montserrat from the two(2) disturbances in the Atlantic. Hence, the Disaster Management Coordination Agency, DMCA is urging all residents on Montserrat to continue to monitor the tropics and always be prepared during what’s expected to be an active hurricane season.

The Disaster Management Coordination Agency, DMCA will continue to closely monitor Hurricane Sam and Tropical Disturbances 2 & 3, and provide regular updates as new information is released from the NHC.

It states that even at the reasonable worst-case scenario, there is no potential for storm-force winds reaching the island from Hurricane Sam. Hence, the cyclone now poses little to no threat Montserrat.

The Meteorological Services will continue to follow the progress of major Hurricane Sam. However, the hurricane is expected to pass a comfortable distance north of the northeast Caribbean.

At 5 pm, Major Hurricane Sam was located about 595 miles east-southeast of the Leeward Islands which in Montserrat moving northwest at around 9 mph.

Maximum sustained winds are near 120 mph with higher gusts. Sam is a category 3 hurricane. Some strengthening is forecast tonight. On Its Forecast track, the system is expected to pass over 170 miles north of the islands on Wednesday or Thursday and be out of the area by Friday. Notwithstanding, swells propagated by Sam are expected to trigger high surf advisories for much of the week.

Please Note, that no tropical cyclone alerts, watches or warnings are in effect and none will again be required for this system.

Residents should continue to follow the progress of Hurricane Sam until it is out of the area. Also, all should stay prepared for the rest of the hurricane season.

Forecaster Dale Destin

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

Timing: until Thursday for Montserrat

Synopsis: Major Hurricane Sam, although forecast to pass a safe distance away from the islands, it is expected to push moderate long period swells to the shores of the area, affecting mainly east-facing coastlines through Wednesday and north-facing coastlines on Thursday and Friday.

The threat level to the life, livelihood, property and infrastructure of those using the affected coastlines is forecast to rise to moderate, with the potential for significant 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. A warning may be required Wednesday and Thursday for higher surfs.

Seas (significant wave heights): 1.5 to 2 metres (5 to 7 feet), occasionally or locally reaching near 3 metres (10 feet). Swell period: 9 to 14 seconds. Swells: East at 1.5 to 2 metres (5 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