Antigua & Barbuda buckles down for a rainy weekend

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Residents have been put on notice that flash flood warnings could be issued as the Antigua and Barbuda Meteorological Service has indicated the heavy showers affecting the twin-island up to late yesterday are likely to increase over the weekend.

The forecaster on duty, Bernell Simon, told OBSERVER media, “A low-level trough that is being enhanced by an upper level trough and there’s a lot of available moisture across the area so that is what is triggering the current shower activity.”

He said the unstable weather conditions are expected to continue to affect Antigua and Barbuda on Saturday and Sunday.

Flash flood watches and small craft advisories may take effect on Saturday into Sunday, depending on the levels of shower activity, the forecaster said.

 “For most of the weekend, we’re looking for the moisture to return once again so we’re looking at quite a bit of shower activity for the entire weekend with a moderate chance of thunderstorms occurring offshore as well.

“The watches and warnings have not been issued as yet, given that the showers are very light at this time. As the intensity of the showers increases over the weekend, there will be watches and warnings put out, mainly tomorrow into Sunday,” he said.

The otherwise welcomed showers which began on Thursday, eased up a bit overnight, but by Friday afternoon residents were coping with heavy downpours and overcast skies.

Antigua and Barbuda and the rest of the Eastern Caribbean are prone to drought conditions, especially during the first half of the year and – according to an earlier weather report – the current weather system could go a long way in alleviating the prolonged dry spell.

Meantime, the 2019 Atlantic Hurricane Season – also characterized as the region’s rainy season –

begins today, June 1st, and comes to a close on November 30th.

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