Weather forecasters said a tropical wave east of Barbados is projected to pass south of the island on Wednesday and issued a small craft advisory for above-normal sea swells at noon on Tuesday, while warning residents to expect a series of flash flood watches or warnings over the next day.
Forecasters at the Barbados Meteorological Services (BMS) said in a weather information statement that satellite imagery over the past 12 hours continued to show a large area of disorganised convection associated with the system tracking westward at about 20 to 30 kilometres an hour (kmh).
“Current model guidance is in agreement with a track south of Barbados during the day on Wednesday,” forecasters said.
“Rapid intensification of the system is unlikely as it approaches Barbados and the southern Windward islands. However, further analysis suggests some slow development as the system moves into the Caribbean Sea by the end of the week.”
With Barbados on the northern fringe of the activity, the weather information statement noted there is the possibility of one to three inches of rainfall as the wave affects the island from Wednesday.
“Winds are likely to be between 35 to 45 kmh with higher gusts possible during heavy shower activity,” forecasters said.
“An additional one to two inches of rainfall are possible as activity trailing the wave persists across the island into Thursday.”
Consequently, the BMS said the small craft advisory was valid until 6 a.m. on Thursday or sooner if conditions improve.
“As the tropical wave currently passes south of the island throughout the day on Wednesday, sea conditions mainly along the south and west coasts are expected to deteriorate becoming moderate to rough in open water with swells ranging from 2 to 3 metres (7ft to 10ft),” forecasters said.
A high surf advisory is issued when breaking wave action poses or is forecast to pose a threat to life and property within the surf zone during the next 36 hours.
