Tropical Wave Monitoring Update: Barbados Meteorological Services Alert for Potential Impacts, Latest Forecast - Friday, June 28, 2024

The Barbados Meteorological Services (BMS) is continuing to closely monitor a tropical wave located in the Eastern Atlantic. As of 5 am today, Friday, the wave is positioned along 38W, approximately 1,470 miles (2,360 km) east of Barbados. Currently, there are no watches or warnings in effect for the island.

However, the BMS indicates that a tropical storm watch and marine advisories may be issued by Saturday. The tropical wave is likely to develop into a tropical depression or storm within the next day or two, potentially impacting Barbados late Sunday night, June 30, into Monday, July 1, 2024.

Potential Impacts:

Flash Flooding and Storm-Force Winds: There is a possibility of flash flooding and storm-force winds affecting the island during this period.

There is a possibility of flash flooding and storm-force winds affecting the island during this period. Hazardous Sea Conditions: Sea conditions may become hazardous as early as Sunday, prompting a Small Craft Warning and High Surf warning over the weekend.

Despite periodic entrainment of dry air, the tropical wave and its associated low-pressure area are showing signs of organization. The wave is expected to move westward at 15 to 20 mph over the next few days. Numerical weather models continue to track the centre of the system just south of Barbados early on Monday, July 1, 2024.

While there is some uncertainty in the forecast intensity due to the size of the system, environmental conditions appear conducive for further development, potentially resulting in the formation of a tropical depression or tropical storm east of Barbados in the next day or two.

The BMS urges the public to stay informed by monitoring updates from the BMS, the Department of Emergency Management (DEM), the Government Information Service (GIS) websites, their respective social media pages, and local media networks over the coming days. (BMS/AM)