New satellite system for Met services

THE Trinidad and Tobago Meteorological Services (TTMS) has taken steps to improve the quality of services provided with the installation of a new state-of-the-art satellite receiving system at its Piarco office and the pending launch of the TTMS website in the upcoming weeks.

The Ministry of Public Utilities and the Environment in collaboration with the TTMS hosted a briefing on the 2006 Rainy and Hurricane Season at the Crowne Plaza to explain to the media, the meanings of meteorological terminology and process.

Meteorologists from the TTMS explained some of the weather terms used daily and during severe weather situations.

Minister of Public Utilities Pennelope Beckles said in her address that she had learnt from a qualified meteorologist that, “TT is definitely within the hurricane belt and it was not impossible for the country to experience one now.”

Beckles said in 1933, before storms were given names, the coconut plantations in and around Cedros were devastated by a storm, then in September 1963 Hurricane Flora ravaged Tobago with Alma following in 1974 creating significant damage to Trinidad.

“Some people say God is a Trini. I agree, because he is giving us ample opportunity to put our house in order,” said Beckles who is also the chairman of the Caribbean Meteorological Council of Ministers.

She said the TTMS’ membership in the Caribbean Meteorological Organisation and World Meteorological Organisation granted local meteorologists opportunities to participate in the free exchange of data with other meteorological offices, the early provision of cutting-edge technology and the exposure to relevant tertiary training.

The minister said Cabinet had agreed to allocate an additional $36 million to the already approved $131 million towards disaster preparedness for WASA and TTEC and warned that the country should anticipate a hurricane hitting the island at any time.

She mentioned that the weather conditions experienced since this hurricane season officially started had resulted in a power outage in Tortuga, Cap-de-Ville, Point Fortin, parts of St Joseph, Lady Chancellor, Sam Boucaud, Santa Cruz and certain parts of Tobago.

She said there were additionally reports of landslides at St John’s Road, St Augustine, and Lopinot Road, St Joseph.

Marlon Noel, acting assistant director, TTMS said the hurricane season usually recorded peak activity during the months of August to October. He said the TTMS had noticed a pattern of hurricane weather over the last 72 years, with the first 24 years recorded as being very active and the latter 24 years with less activity. Noel said it would seem that every other 24 years, the hurricane season would become intense and active. He noted that the third cycle started in 1995 and active hurricane seasons could last for the next ten years.

Noel added that he had been noticing that weather systems had become more intense over the 2006 hurricane season with rain falling for shorter periods as compared to last year. Although the patterns varied, he said, the weather conditions produced for both years were considered normal.