Thundery weather not unusual, says Met man

CHIEF Meteorologist at the Meteorological Office in Piarco, Emmanuel Moolchan, yesterday said there was no reason for the public to panic as regards the weather patterns we have been experiencing over the last couple of days. Moolchan explained to Newsday that the light Easterly flow allows a Westerly flow from the Gulf of Paria to develop, and where the two air masses meet, thunderclouds will develop. As a result, heavy rainfall and thunder showers will occur. This weather pattern is local and can be expected on days of light winds and very warm morning temperatures. Showers and thundershowers caused by these conditions will almost always favour Western portions of Trinidad.

Revealing that the temperature recorded at Piarco yesterday was 34 degrees, Moolchan said the Met Office registered a rainfall deficit for the month of September, as they only recorded 83 percent of the long-term average anticipated for the month. Questioned as to whether they had received any reports of flooding, he said one caller from the Diego Martin area had reported torrential rainfall, measuring over 58 mm of rainfall in the area.  However, he pointed out that the Met Office always issued warnings that street or flash flooding can occur in areas of heavy rainfall. For the month of September, the Met Office registered a total of 167.7 mm of rainfall. Persons can look forward to more of this kind of weather, as late September early October is a prime time for these kinds of conditions, added Moolchan. He concluded by assuring persons that this weather pattern usually began around midday, but that it dissipated by late evening, giving way to a fair night.