WeatherWatch: Forecasters eye tropical waves

Weather watchers were late Tuesday keeping a close eye on two tropical waves heading here that could affect the island between Wednesday and Friday.

The first, tropical wave #16 was located around 5 p.m. near longitude 51 degrees west or about 970 kilometres (570 miles) to the east, said the Barbados Meteorological Services.

The forecasters said this system remains disorganized because of weak environmental conditions.  Further development is this wave is likely to be slow as it tracks westward to west-northwestward at 40 miles per hour. On its current track, the relatively strong wind field is expected to pass north of Barbados on Wednesday afternoon.  Rainfall accumulations could reach 1-2 inches, met officials said.

At 5 p.m. Tuesday, the second wave, #17,  was located near 36/37 degrees west with an associated broad area of low pressure centred near latitude 8.4 degrees North, longitude 36.4 West or about 2,585 kilometres (1,605 miles) east of Barbados.

Showers and thunderstorms associated with this feature have become better organised throughout the day and some slow development of this system is possible as it tracks westward at 35 km/h (or 22mph).

Regardless of development, this system has the potential to produce heavy rainfall, thunderstorms and gusty winds across Barbados and the southern Windwards by Friday afternoon.

The public is urged to monitor the progress of both of these systems over the next few days and stay alert for BMS  updates, the met office said.

Forecasters will issue the next update at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, or sooner if conditions warrant, they said. (SD)