News
1st June, 2021
2021 ATLANTIC HURRICANE SEASON
The Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Meteorological Service wishes to endorse the predictions of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) as its official Seasonal Outlook for the 2021 Atlantic Hurricane Season.
The Atlantic Hurricane Season runs from June 1st to November 30th and NOAA is predicting a sixty percent (60%) chance of an “above average” season with 13 to 20 named storms (winds of 39 mph to 73 mph er), 6 to 10 hurricanes (winds of 74 mph or higher), and 3 to 5 major hurricanes (category 3, 4 or 5; with winds of 111 mph or higher). Based on data from the new climatological period, 1991 to 2020, an average hurricane season produces 14 named storms, 7 hurricanes and 3 major hurricanes.
The main reasons for an above average hurricane season are warmer than average sea-surface temperatures across the tropical Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea, and a neutral El Niño Southern Oscillation, which is likely to transition to La Niña by the peak of the season.
For the first three (3) months of the hurricane season, the national rainfall outlook suggests the likelihood of below average rainfall, however there still exist the possibility for flash flooding. The months of September to November are likely to receive above average rainfall amounts, during which the potential for flooding is elevated.
It must be noted that the forecasts by no means indicate locations where systems will develop, how they will move or where they will strike. Therefore, the public, relevant agencies and ministries are advised to adopt measures to mitigate the potential impacts of the Hurricane/Wet Season.
Also, due to the anticipation of lahars/mudflows during heavy rainfall, the public is strongly urged to be vigilant in communities in the red and orange zones of the La Soufriere volcanic hazard map.
How to access warning messages…
Website: http://www.meteo.gov.vc
Facebook: https://facebook.com/svgweather
Common Alerting Protocol: Download instruction http://nemo.gov.vc/nemo/index.php/home/cap-link
Email: Join our mailing list by sending a request to
Local media: Keep informed by listening local radio and television stations for advisories, as well as daily weather updates at 6 am, 12 pm and 6 pm.
The names selected for the 2021 Hurricane Season are:
Ana, Bill, Claudette, Danny, Elsa, Fred , Grace, Henri, Ida, Julian, Kate, Larry
Mindy, Nicholas, Odette, Peter, Rose, Sam, Teresa, Victor, Wanda
World Meteorological Day 2021 - The ocean, our climate and weather
Covering some 70% of the Earth’s surface, the ocean is a major driver of the world’s weather and climate. It also plays a central role in climate change. The ocean is also a major driver of the global economy, carrying more than 90% of world trade and sustaining the 40% of humanity that lives within 100 km of the coast. Recognizing this, National Meteorological and Hydrological Services and researchers regularly monitor the ocean and how it is changing, modeling how it affects the atmosphere and delivering a wide variety of marine services, including supporting coastal management and Safety of Life at Sea. Today, the growing impacts of climate change are making ocean observations, research and services more critical than ever before.
The World Meteorological Day theme - The ocean, our climate and weather – celebrates WMO’s focus in connecting the ocean, climate and weather within the Earth System. It also marks the starting year of the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030). The Decade galvanizes efforts to gather ocean science – through innovative and transformative ideas - as the basis of information to support sustainable development. WMO, as the United Nations specialized agency for climate, weather and water, strives to support understanding the inextricable link between ocean, climate and weather. This helps us understand the world in which we live, including the impacts of climate change, and to help Members to strengthen their ability to keep lives and property safe – reducing the risk of disaster – and to maintain viable economies.
Source: World Meteorological Organization (WMO)
May 31st, 2019
2019 ATLANTIC HURRICANE SEASON
Issued by the St.Vincent and the Grenadines Meteorological Services
Saturday, June 1st marks the officially start of the 2019 Atlantic Hurricane Season.
Historically across the Atlantic Basin, the averages for named storms (winds of 39 mph or higher), hurricanes (winds of 74 mph or higher) and major hurricanes (category 3, 4 or 5; with winds of 111 mph or higher) are 12, 6 and 2 respectively.
This year, the U.S National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) are forecasting a “near- normal” season with 9 to 15 named storms; 4 to 8 of which could become hurricanes, while 2 to 4 are expecting to evolve into major hurricanes. The Outlook reflects the ongoing El Niño which is expected to persist and suppress the intensity of the hurricane season.
It should be noted that these forecasts are based on probabilities and the analysis of historical data. They are intended to provide an estimate of activity to be experienced during the upcoming season.
Regardless of what the seasonal forecast is, one must be reminded that a disaster can occur from only one hurricane, tropical storm, or even from a lesser developed system. It is therefore important for individuals, businesses and Government entities to recognize their vulnerability, and take the necessary measures to reduce impacts of heavy rainfall, strong winds and storm surge.
A special appeal is extended to fishers and other marine operators as they are usually the first to be impacted by approaching weather systems at sea. Please be alert during this time of the year
In keeping our mandate, The Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Meteorological Services wishes to reassure the general public that it will continue to closely monitor weather conditions around Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and issue the necessary public advisories in a timely manner. We will also coordinate with the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) about the likely hazards accompanying these systems.
How to access warning messages?
Website: http://www.meteo.gov.vc
Facebook: https://facebook.com/svgweather
Common Alerting Protocol: Download instruction http://nemo.gov.vc/nemo/index.php/home/cap-link
Email: Join our mailing list by sending your request to
Local media: Keep informed by listening local radio and television stations for advisories, as well as daily weather updates at 6 am, 12 pm and 6 pm.
The names selected for the 2019 Hurricane Season are:
*Andrea Gabrielle Melissa Tanya
Barry Humberto Nestor Van
Chantal Imelda Olgo Wendy
Dorian Jerry Pablo
Erin Karen Rebekah
Fernand Lorenzo Sebastien
* On May 20th, Tropical Storm Andrea, the first named tropical storm of the 2019 Atlantic hurricane season, formed over the North-western Atlantic.
Be prepared this hurricane season!!
END
Each year, on 23 March, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), its membership of 193 States and Territories, and the worldwide meteorological community, celebrate World Meteorological Day (WMD) around a chosen theme. The Day commemorates the entry into force, on that date in 1950, of the convention creating the WMO.
Today, World Meteorological Organization celebrates its 70th anniversary. The theme for 2020 is ‘Climate and Water’,
By CSU Tropical Meteorology Project
Colorado State University hurricane researchers are predicting a slightly below-average Atlantic hurricane season in 2019, citing the relatively high likelihood of a weak El Niño as a primary factor.
Tropical Atlantic sea surface temperatures are currently slightly below their long-term average values and are consequently considered an inhibiting factor for 2019 Atlantic hurricane activity as well.
A weak El Niño has recently developed in the tropical Pacific. CSU anticipates that these weak El Niño conditions are likely to persist through the peak of the Atlantic hurricane season. El Niño tends to increase upper-level westerly winds across the Caribbean into the tropical Atlantic, tearing apart hurricanes as they try to form.
The tropical Atlantic is slightly cooler than normal right now. Colder-than-normal sea surface temperatures in the tropical Atlantic provide less fuel for tropical cyclone formation and intensification. They are also associated with a more stable atmosphere as well as drier air, both of which suppress organized thunderstorm activity necessary for hurricane development.
13 named storms
The CSU Tropical Meteorology Project team is predicting 13 named storms during the Atlantic hurricane season, which runs from June 1 to Nov. 30. Of those, researchers expect five to become hurricanes and two to reach major hurricane strength (Saffir/Simpson category 3-4-5) with sustained winds of 111 miles per hour or greater.
The team bases its forecasts on a statistical model, as well as a new model that uses a combination of statistical information and forecasts from a dynamical model. Both of these models are built on about 40 years of historical data and evaluating conditions including: Atlantic sea surface temperatures, sea level pressures, vertical wind shear levels (the change in wind direction and speed with height in the atmosphere), El Niño (warming of waters in the central and eastern tropical Pacific), and other factors.
So far, the 2019 hurricane season is exhibiting characteristics similar to 1969, 1987, 1991, 2002, and 2009. “1987, 1991, 2002 and 2009 had below-average Atlantic hurricane activity, while 1969 was a very active hurricane season,” said Phil Klotzbach, research scientist in the Department of Atmospheric Science and lead author of the report.
The team predicts that 2019 hurricane activity will be about 75 percent of the average season. By comparison, 2018’s hurricane activity was about 120 percent of the average season. The 2018 season was most notable for Hurricanes Florence and Michael which devastated the Carolinas and portions of the Florida Panhandle, respectively.
The CSU team will issue forecast updates on June 4, July 2 and Aug. 6.
This is the 36th year that the CSU hurricane research team has issued their Atlantic basin seasonal hurricane forecast. Recently, the Tropical Meteorology Project team has expanded to include Michael Bell, associate professor in the CSU Department of Atmospheric Science, and Jhordanne Jones, graduate research assistant in the same department. Bill Gray, who originated the seasonal forecasts, launched the report in 1984 and continued to author them until his death in 2016.
The CSU forecast is intended to provide a best estimate of activity in the Atlantic during the upcoming season – not an exact measure.
As always, the researchers caution coastal residents to take proper precautions.
“It takes only one storm near you to make this an active season,” Bell said.
Landfalling probability included in report
The report also includes the probability of major hurricanes making landfall:
- 48 percent for the entire U.S. coastline (average for the last century is 52 percent)
- 28 percent for the U.S. East Coast including the Florida peninsula (average for the last century is 31 percent)
- 28 percent for the Gulf Coast from the Florida panhandle westward to Brownsville (average for the last century is 30 percent)
- 39 percent for the Caribbean (average for the last century is 42 percent)
The forecast team also tracks the likelihood of tropical storm-force, hurricane-force and major hurricane-force winds occurring at specific locations along the coastal United States, the Caribbean and Central America through its Landfall Probability website.
The site provides information for all coastal states as well as 11 regions and 205 individual counties along the U.S. coastline from Brownsville, Texas, to Eastport, Maine. Landfall probabilities for regions and counties are adjusted based on the current climate and its projected effects on the upcoming hurricane season.
The CSU team updates the site regularly with assistance from the GeoGraphics Laboratory at Bridgewater State University in Massachusetts.
Funding for this year’s report has been provided by Interstate Restoration, Ironshore Insurance, the Insurance Information Institute, Weatherboy and a grant from the G. Unger Vetlesen Foundation.
Extended range Atlantic Basin hurricane forecast for 2019
Released April 4, 2019
Tropical Cyclone Parameters Extended Range
(1981-2010 Climatological Average Forecast for 2019
in parentheses)
Named Storms (12.1)* 13
Named Storm Days (59.4) 50
Hurricanes (6.4) 5
Hurricane Days (24.2) 16
Major Hurricanes (2.7) 2
Major Hurricane Days (6.2) 4
Accumulated Cyclone Energy (106) 80
Net Tropical Cyclone Activity (116%) 90
* Numbers in ( ) represent averages based on 1981-2010 data.
The Sun, the Earth and the Weather is the theme of this year’s World Meteorological Day. It highlights the role of the Sun in delivering the energy that powers all life on Earth, and drives the weather, ocean currents and the hydrological cycle.
World Meteorological Day on 23 March celebrates the anniversary of the convention establishing WMO in 1950 and showcases the essential contribution of the WMO community to the safety and well-being of society.
National Meteorological and Hydrological Services provide expertise and services both to harness the power of the Sun and to protect us from it. These include 24/7 weather observations and forecasts, as well as monitoring of atmospheric greenhouse gases, ultraviolet radiation, aerosols and ozone and their consequent effects on people, climate, air and water quality and marine and terrestrial life.
Sunlight plays a pivotal role in human health and well-being. Too little Sun impacts our mood and well-being and increases the risk of Vitamin D deficiency. Overexposure to sunlight causes harmful effects on the skin, eyes, and immune system. Experts believe that four out of five cases of skin cancer could be prevented, as UV damage is mostly avoidable.
The ultraviolet index or UV Index is an international standard measurement of the strength of sunburn-producing ultraviolet radiation at a particular place and time. Many national meteorological services provide information and alerts on UV levels, and work with health authorities to disseminate safety tips to the public.
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Government of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines