Sabu Best: Expect more ash clouds

Barbadians can expect to see dark, gloomy, thick ash clouds affecting the island as St. Vincent’s La Soufriere volcano continues to spew dark plumes.

Director (Ag) of the Barbados Meteorological Services Sabu Best has predicted that the winds will continue to pump the ash plumes in Barbados’ direction.

He said the current plume over the island is pushing off to the east now resulting in the western side looking somewhat brighter. However, Best said another plume is approaching the island and that will result in the western part of the island turning dark again.

“It’s a pretty big one so it’s going to last maybe half an hour, 45 minutes tops. Behind that, it looks like there is another plume in generation over the La Soufriere volcano. This is pretty much what it is going to be like throughout the day. You are going to get these pulsing plumes coming out of the volcano. We can’t really take it beyond that with the forecasting, it depends on the volcano itself. But for sure once it keeps going, the winds in the upper level will continue to pump these ash plumes,” Best said.

As Best and his team continue to monitor the severe volcanic ash and small-craft warning, the Grantley Adams International Airport Inc has advised that the airport is currently closed until at least 6 a.m. on Sunday, April 11. (AH)