High temperatures: Caribbean feeling the heat
There seems to be no escape from the continuous heat stress in the Caribbean as statements on heat warnings, hot spells and heatwaves have been issued by some islands.
In Antigua and Barbuda, the meteorological service says an excessive heat advisory is in effect for Antigua and Barbuda from 8 am to 5 pm until next Friday (September 22). It says the Heat Index or Feels-Like Temperature is a Max of around 50 °C or 122 °F.
The met service says the combination of high temperatures, relatively high humidity and light winds will result in dangerously hot conditions. The threat of health problems, for mainly sensitive people, is forecast to be high, with the potential for extensive impacts.
The threshold for this warning is when the maximum heat index temperature is expected to be 41 °C or 106 °F or higher, for two or more consecutive days, with winds 18 km/h (11 mph) or less. The maximum heat index is likely to occur during the early afternoons.
In Grenada, the Meteorological Services at MBIA on Thursday issued an advisory for a potential heatwave. It stated that another heatwave may potentially affect Grenada as models indicate light winds, high temperatures and low rainfall for the next three days. It notes temperatures have exceeded 31.7°C or greater. Thursday’s High was 31.9°C.
In Trinidad and Tobago, the Meteorological Service has issued a hot spell warning- yellow level, warning of extremely hot conditions predominantly over Trinidad and Tobago from September 15 to the 29th, 2023.
It says there is a high (80 per cent) probability that temperatures near 34.0 °C or greater are expected to continue roughly over the next two weeks across Trinidad. The hottest time of the day is between 10 am to 4 pm. High temperatures can be hazardous to health, especially to the elderly, sick adults, and young children.
And in Aruba, the Meteorological Department warned on September 15 that temperatures can reach 34 to 36 degrees in the afternoon. The Heat index during the afternoon hours is between 37 to 44 degrees Celsius. The public has been asked to take the necessary precautions to avoid heat-related complications.
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