Near normal rainfall expected for rest of year

The Meteorological Service said there will be little to no concern for dryness by the end of January 2024, in its dryness outlook for November 2023 to January 2024.

In its October 2023 dryness monitor and outlook report, the Met Service said in August 2023, Trinidad received below-normal rainfall amounts whereas Tobago received above-normal rainfall amounts. It said below-normal rainfall amounts fell over both islands during the following months of September to October.

Piarco’s monthly total rainfall for August-September-October were 134.4 mm, 88.8 mm, and 116.5 mm respectively, while Crown Point, Tobago's monthly total rainfall for August-September-October were 224.9 mm, 96.5 mm and 44.9 mm respectively.

The Met Service said the three-month dryness indicator for August-September-October shows dryness indicator values that ranged from -2.4 to -1.2, which range between extremely dry to moderately dry.

In its dryness outlook for November to January 2024, the Met Service said there would be borderline dryness at the end of January 2024. It said that was based on the accumulated rainfall received nationwide during the months of August to October 2023, together with the projected volume of rainfall for the months of November to January 2024.

It said near normal rainfall is expected during the month of November, and being a wet season month, moderate to heavy rainfall events are expected to occur. Frequent rainfall events are expected to continue in December and January 2024.

The Met Service said its outlook was based solely on rainfall and should be used only as a guidance tool.