Trinidad and Tobago: TTMS announces Dry Season

Trinidad and Tobago: Trinidad and Tobago Meteorological Service (TTMS) has officially announced the beginning of Dry Season 2024.

With the arrival of the Dry Season, the country witnesses a reduction in the level of groundwater recharge and surface water flows. Also, it impacts the rain-fed water availability. 

Initially, from January to March, there will be drier regions than normal. This will result in increased surface and vegetation dryness. All this is because of an increased capacity for the bush, forest and landfill fires which in turn will provide reductions in the air quality.

Moreover, the other part of the dry season is projected to be wetter than the normal one. Additionally, with the progress of the Dry Season, there are more chances for the occurrence of Saharan dust-haze events, further contributing towards more reduction in air quality.

The existence of strong upper level westerly winds and a persistent Tropical Upper Tropospheric Trough (TUTT) over the tropical and subtropical Atlantic. The high-pressure system has transitioned the country into a drier state.

It is not that a drier season will be completely devoid of rain. Although, light rains occurring at the region will not state the emergence of wet season in Trinidad and Tobago as it can be the part of dry season.

Considerably, the dry season indicates less moisture, escalated atmospheric stability, very few deep clouds and quite a few rainfall events, significantly not on a frequent basis. There will be the general day and night cycle (warm days and cool nights). And, an ordinary shift in the surface wind direction.

Connecting to it, it has been advised to the public that managing and conserving water in a sustainable manner is of the utmost priority. Also, the public is recommended to refrain from burning activities, which include burning of rubbish in grassy or forested areas during the dry season.

Significantly, the ministries associated with it are completely bound towards the measures required to mitigate the adverse effects of the dry season.