Heat in ‘d place! TTMS issues 5-day Hot Spell Watch

For the next five days, expect to feel the heat.

Trinidad and Tobago was placed under a Hot Spell Watch – Yellow Level from yesterday until Monday (September 23) by the Trinidad and Tobago Meteorological Service (TTMS).

In a statement, the TTMS said, “Over the next five days, there is a high probability (75%) that daily maximum temperatures will reach or exceed 34.0°C in Trinidad, and 33.0°C or greater in Tobago.”

For the month of September so far, the daily maximum temperature recorded at Piarco has neared 35°C on several occasions.

The TTMS explained that for a Hot Spell advisory to be issued, there must be five consecutive hot days, which they define as “maximum temperatures of 34.0 °C or greater in Trinidad, and 33.0 °C or greater in Tobago.” Maximum temperatures are likely to be higher in urban areas such as Port-of-Spain and San Fernando, with the heat index (or feel-like temperature) ranging between 34.0 °C and 44.0 °C. The heat index is a measure of the combined effects of relative humidity and air temperature.

The TTMS also noted that these hot days, combined with tropical moisture and light wind,s are ingredients for the development of showers and thunderstorms, mainly during the afternoon. However, the forecast calls for just a low chance of afternoon thunderstorms through Sunday. Any showers that may be experienced will only provide short-lived relief, as the TTMS added that warm nights are likely.

If venturing outdoors, the TTMS advised citizens to wear appropriate clothing and stay hydrated, especially during the hottest times of the day, which is between 10 am to 4 pm. It added that if indoors, citizens should open windows, vents and doors for better ventilation.

Last August, September and October, the TTMS issued several hot spell alerts for T&T, with an alert being issued for the entire month of October.

On August 23, 2023, the country recorded its hottest temperatures for that year when the TTMS revealed that Piarco recorded a maximum high of 33.8°C, while at Crown Point, a maximum high of 31.8°C was recorded. Those temperatures surpassed the 33.4°C set on August 7, 2023.