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alexk
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Although Hurricane Beryl is not expected to affect T&T directly, the Meteorological Service is warning that activity in the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) will bring thunderstorms and flash floods today.
At about 3 pm yesterday, meteorologist Jean-Marc Rampersad said that the eye of Beryl was approximately 1,500 km from the Lesser Antilles and based on information from the National Hurricane Centre, it is expected to strengthen over the next 24 to 48 hours.
Beryl’s centre is expected to pass through the Leeward Islands by Sunday night.
“The hurricane is not expected to directly impact our weather. However, we will be impacted indirectly tomorrow (today) as we have activity due to the ITCZ. We already have an adverse weather warning out.
The storm is in the area and modulating the ITCZ northward.
“In particular for tomorrow, expect showers and a few thunderstorms during the morning period. Any heavy showers and thundershowers present the risk of street and flash flooding and gusty winds. It is expected that conditions will improve by the afternoon into the evening,” Rampersad said.
Last weekend, heavy rains resulted in flooding in parts of North, West and Central Trinidad.
By yesterday afternoon, none of the Leeward Islands had issued hurricane warnings or cyclone watches. It is usually within 48 hours of a cyclone approaching that the appropriate communications are made.
Beryl is the first storm to reach a category 1 in 2018 and Barbados and Dominica lie within the cone of uncertainty.
Rampersad said the Beryl can pass anywhere within the cone.