Met Office issues severe weather alert for Dominica

severe-weather-alertThe Dominica Met Office is asking residents to be on the alert for severe weather later today from a strong tropical wave which is located just east of the Lesser Antilles.

According to the Met Office, the system is producing a large area of cloudiness, showers and thunderstorm activity.

“Environmental Conditions are marginally favorable for gradual development while the disturbance moves west-northwestward at 15 to 20 mph. Environmental conditions are expected to become more conducive for a tropical depression to form by later this week,” a release from the Met Office stated.

However, the Met Office said that regardless of development, the system is expected to bring moderate to heavy rainfall and thunderstorm activity along with gusty winds to the Northern portion of the island chain, to include Dominica, beginning later this afternoon. Moderate to rough seas are also expected in areas of showers and thunderstorm. Current model projected rainfall is approximately 2.5 to 3 inches (60 – 75 mm) with higher amounts especially in elevated areas.

The Met Office is calling on interests in Dominica to monitor the progress of this system and advises persons in areas prone to flooding, landslides and falling rocks to be vigilant and to exercise extreme caution as flash flooding could be possible. Persons in vulnerable areas should plan ahead and take all precautionary measures to reduce impact on life and property particularly from tonight into Wednesday, according to the Met Office advisory.

Meanwhile, a tropical depression located in the far eastern Atlantic has strengthened into the seventh tropical storm of the season, Gaston. At 5 o’clock this morning, maximum sustained winds were near 50 mph and the system is moving west north west at 20 mph. Gaston is forecast to become a hurricane by Wednesday as it continues to strengthen over the open waters of the Atlantic.

The public is advised to keep informed on these systems by listening to further updates provided by the Dominica Meteorological service.

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14 Comments

  1. Favored
    August 24, 2016

    It’s time to give the economist to forecast the weather and the weather man to forecast the economy.

  2. yes i
    August 24, 2016

    I know the old saying, better safe than sorry, and its just a forecast, but there appears to be a 100 per cent failure rate. Prior to Erica we had 2 floods, no warning. Erica came along no warning. Now we are having severe weather alerts on a daily bases, flood warnings, landslides warning and not a drop of rain. What is really going on. Should we just ignore the met office and use weather underground. I suspect the weather report we receive is not for Dominica specifically but for the other islands.
    We might just get stuck again if the accuracy of the reports cant be improved.

  3. Skerritr Agent
    August 23, 2016

    http://www.msn.com/en-us/weather/topstories/tropical-storm-gaston-getting-stronger-in-the-atlantic/ar-BBvWtqq?li=BBnb7Kz&ocid=LENOVODHP15

    Please open the above link and if anyone can accurately and honestly tell me the where about of Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit, cash $1 million dollars from me.

    • anonymous2
      August 24, 2016

      off island.

    • Tell the Facts
      August 24, 2016

      Is he not entitled to take a vacation, if this is what he did? This may be the time he always takes his vacation. Did you ever give this a positive thought?

  4. August 23, 2016

    Dominicans, Heed the Warning, A word to the wise should be enough. To be fore Warned, is to be Fore Armed. Mother Nature knows No Political Party! We all in this Together, all Hands on Deck. Do not forget to Pray.

  5. NUWP
    August 23, 2016

    Omg. I pray the the continued blessings be poured upon our beloved country DOMINICA. Protect us from all evils. Be close to us in time of needing your presence oh lord. We never give us more than what we can hear and surely you will be there for us as always. Amen

  6. MIGHTY BOOPLAY
    August 23, 2016

    Captain is not there, Air, Dominica on remote control. Bad weather report threatening the island but yet again pilot is not there.

  7. hmmmmmmmmmm
    August 23, 2016

    NO warning is a problem. But too much warning/ exaggerated alerts is even worse. What will happen is overtime the public will start ignoring these as nothing comes to fruition. Its a simple tropical wave moving through. 2-3 inches of rain in Dominica is nothing. Save the weather alerts for more serious instances. Dont get the public hyped over nothing!!!

    • laudm
      August 23, 2016

      Better be safe than sorry, remember what Erica did unexpectedly. Its a great ting to give the warning.

    • speaking for myself
      August 23, 2016

      …and I suppose the huge rocks that roll down the cliff-sides an onto the E O Leblanc Highway after 2-3 inches of rain is nothing.

    • OLI
      August 23, 2016

      No warning…… is a problem, little warning…… is a problem, too much warning….. is STILL a problem! You just cannot please those kind of people!! If you don’t want to pay attention to the warnings, then don’t pay attention, that will be your business boy!!

  8. Pure Possie
    August 23, 2016

    We keep getting severe weather alert one after the other, but the online Prime Minister, who seems to rule by remote keeps missing. Where is Hon. Roosevelt Skerrit?
    This week will be our first anniversary of the destruction of Erika. This week also reminds us of the cake cutting party Mr. Skerrit and his friends NG, Ashe, Francisco, and others, were enjoying in Macau on August 26, two days before Erika destroyed us, and like Jonas in the bible, who was vomited back on shores by a whale, Skerrit had to be given helicopter to return home. I said all this because I realize on the eve of anniversary of Erika and weather is not very good, Skerrit might be once again out of state as Ian Douglas had to act as PM in Calibishie. I hope he is not staying out so if an Erika like storm hit us, Mr. Linton will go settle the nation and give ideas again. Boss, if we in trouble and you out again you might as well stay out for good this time

  9. marie-claire
    August 23, 2016

    praying for Dominica. God’s protection

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