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

Sunday October 10, 2021 – The Disaster Management Coordination Agency, DMCA is monitoring Disturbance 2 located about 500 miles east-southeast of the Windward Islands, moving west-northwestward at about 15 mph. The system has a 30% chance of cyclone formation in 5 days.

At 2:00 pm, the National Hurricane Center, NHC issued the following advisory on the disturbance:

Disturbance 2, is a vigorous tropical wave located about 500 miles east-southeast of the Windward Islands is producing a concentrated area of cloudiness and thunderstorms near the wave axis based on recent satellite-derived surface wind data.Environmental conditions are forecast to be marginally conducive for some additional development of this system while it moves west-northwestward at about 15 mph over the next few days. The disturbance is expected to approach the central and northern Lesser Antilles by late Monday and early Tuesday, and interests in these areas should monitor the progress of this system.

Regardless of development, the system will produce locally heavy rainfall and gusty winds across portions of the central and northern Lesser Antilles on Tuesday, and across the Virgin Islands and northern Lesser Antilles on Wednesday. The system has 20 percent chance of tropical development in 2 days and 30% chance in 5 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.

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

Timing: Until 6 pm today.

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 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.

Seas (significant wave heights): 2 to 2.5 metres (6 to 8 feet), occasionally or locally reaching 3 metres (10 feet). Swell period: 9 to 15 seconds. Swells: Northeast at 1.2 to 2 metres (4 to 6 feet) and occasionally higher.Surfs (breaking swells): Over over 6 fee). 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

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.

Below, Weather Forecast for Montserrat – Sunday October 10, 2021:

Synopsis: Moisture and instability associated with a tropical wave along with a moderate to fresh trade wind flow transporting low level patches across the area will maintain a high chance for shower activity over and around the islands today. Meanwhile hazy conditions will also continue to reduce visibility over and around the island.

Weather Today: Partly cloudy to cloudy and hazy skies with a 70% or high chance of showers and a slight chance of an isolated thunderstorm.

Winds: East-southeast at 14 to 21 mph, reaching as high as 30 mph during showers, over open waters and in elevated areas..

Seas: 4 to 6 feet..Sunset today: 5:52 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 ServicesBernell Simon-Forecaster