Trinidad and Tobago: The Trinidad and Tobago Meteorological Service is officially declaring the start of the 2023 Dry Season in the country.
Likely impacts of the 2023 Dry Season include:
• Reduction in ground water recharge, surface water flows and rain-fed water availability;
• Increase in surface and vegetation dryness as the season progresses, which enhances the potential for bush fires.
The present climatic patterns and features, such as the dominance of strong upper-level southwesterly to westerly winds over our region, the intensification of the North Atlantic sub-tropical high-pressure system, the strengthened trade-wind inversion, and stronger surface winds, signal that the region has transitioned to its drier state. The dry season generally manifests itself by reduced moisture, increased atmospheric stability, fewer deep clouds, less frequent rainfall events, warm days and cool nights, and a shift in the wind direction to mostly easterlies to north easterlies, all of which are being experienced now.
The 2023 Dry Season outlook indicates mixed conditions are favoured during the dry season. Rainfall in the categories of near normal to above normal is likely in January and February followed by near normal to below normal rainfall during the months of March to May, with April likely to be the driest month. The outlook also calls for average day and night temperatures, with few chilly nights/early mornings during January and February, where temperatures can fall below 20.0oC due to relatively colder air being funnelled into the region from the sub-tropical high-pressure system and migrating frontal systems from higher latitudes. As the dry season progresses, there is a high probability of an increase in Saharan dust-haze events and drier environmental conditions that increase the chances of bush/grass/forest and landfill fires.
In light of the foregoing, the public is advised to conserve, store and manage water in a sustainable manner. It is highly recommended that the public refrain from burning rubbish in grassy or forested areas during the dry season. Relevant agencies and ministries are advised to take measures to mitigate the potential impacts of the dry season.
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