2020 Hurricane Watch

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The geographical location of Barbados in the archipelago translates to the island being spared the worse of the weather during hurricane season which from June to November.  However given the unpredictability of nature it is not a bad idea for the island and its citizens to prepare for the possibility of being ‘hit’ by a weather system.

Source: Barbados Meteorological Services

31 thoughts on “2020 Hurricane Watch”


  6. Any of you bloggers going to be lining up to buy Hurricane rations?

    Barbados may not dodge the Gonzalo missile so be prepared.

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  9. Prime Minister Urges Barbadians To Prepare For Gonzalo

    by Sharon Austin | Jul 23, 2020 | Top Stories

    [facebook url="https://www.facebook.com/gisbarbados/videos/0" /]

    Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley’s address to the nation – July 22, 2020. (PMO)
    Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley has urged Barbadians to prepare for Tropical Storm Gonzalo, which is expected to affect the country early on Saturday.

    Ms. Mottley made the comments on Wednesday evening when she addressed the nation, at Ilaro Court, where she announced changes to her Cabinet.

    Gonzalo is expected to become a hurricane within the next few hours and Barbados is currently under a Hurricane Watch, which means that hurricane conditions are possible within the watch area.

    “I’m happy that the Ministry of Public Works and other Ministries spent the day [yesterday] literally doing the assessments and making adjustments such that when we meet with them tomorrow morning [today], we will be in a position to take any further decisions that have to be done.

    “But in every house, we know what – be prepared rather than be sorry. And I ask you, therefore, without panic, to be able to ensure that you are ready for this storm,” the Prime Minister urged.

    She gave the assurance that needed changes would continue to be made as situations and circumstances warranted, to ensure Barbados thrives.

    The Prime Minister told the country her recent changes to Cabinet were the first in a series of measures to reposition and ready Barbados for the challenges of the new reality.

    “It is not business as usual. We may not always get it right, but we will certainly never flinch in our quest for excellence and our resolve to ease the strain on Barbadians from all walks of life. I want you to know and to understand that I feel the pain of Barbadians at all levels …. I’m in touch with Barbadians on a daily basis, and I know the challenges.

    “I know the needs in water, housing, small business development, and the stresses, very often still, in doing and transacting business in this country.

    “But it doesn’t change overnight. I know your frustrations in interacting with the public service sometimes to be able to access services. But I want to assure you that change is coming and that we will continue to work 24/7 to dispense a better level of service,” the Prime Minister said.

    She noted that there were already some improvements, and highlighted the dispensing of the Police Certificate of Character as an example, where persons could now receive the document in a very short timeframe.

    sharon.austingill-moore@barbados.gov.bb

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  10. https://www.facebook.com/BarbadosMeteorologicalService/videos/599619847303282/

    A TROPICAL STORM WARNING AND HURRICANE WATCH REMAIN IN EFFECT FOR BARBADOS
    At 11:00 AM today, Friday 24th July, 2020, TROPICAL STORM GONZALO was located near 10.0N 54.2W or about 385 MI… 620
    KM ESE of Barbados. Maximum sustained winds have decreased to 50 MPH… 85 KM/H. Storm-force winds extend outward only to 25
    miles (35 km) from the center. Present Movement…W or 275 degrees at 18 MPH or 30 KM/H. Minimum central pressure…1002
    MB…29.59 INCHES.
    The next intermediate advisory will be issued at 2:00 PM.

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  15. 449
    WTNT32 KNHC 250532
    TCPAT2

    BULLETIN
    Tropical Storm Gonzalo Intermediate Advisory Number 14A
    NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL AL072020
    200 AM AST Sat Jul 25 2020

    …AIR FORCE RESERVE RECONNAISSANCE FINDS TROPICAL-STORM-FORCE
    WINDS…
    …GONZALO FORECAST TO BRING GUSTY WINDS AND HEAVY RAIN TO
    A PORTION OF THE SOUTHERN WINDWARD ISLANDS BEGINNING TODAY…

    SUMMARY OF 200 AM AST…0600 UTC…INFORMATION

    LOCATION…10.0N 57.8W
    ABOUT 240 MI…390 KM E OF TRINIDAD
    MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS…40 MPH…65 KM/H
    PRESENT MOVEMENT…W OR 270 DEGREES AT 17 MPH…28 KM/H
    MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE…1009 MB…29.80 INCHES

    WATCHES AND WARNINGS

    CHANGES WITH THIS ADVISORY…

    None

    SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT…

    A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for…
    * St. Vincent and the Grenadines
    * Tobago
    * Grenada and its dependencies

    A Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm conditions are
    expected somewhere within the warning area, in this case
    within the next 24 hours.

    Interests elsewhere in the Windward Islands should monitor the
    progress of this system.

    For storm information specific to your area, please monitor
    products issued by your national meteorological service.

    DISCUSSION AND OUTLOOK

    At 200 AM AST (0600 UTC), the center of Tropical Storm Gonzalo was
    located near latitude 10.0 North, longitude 57.8 West. Gonzalo is
    moving toward the west near 17 mph (28 km/h). A general westward to
    west-northwestward motion is expected for the next couple of days.
    On the forecast track, Gonzalo will move across the southern
    Windward Islands this afternoon or evening and over the eastern
    Caribbean Sea on Sunday.

    Maximum sustained winds are near 40 mph (65 km/h) with higher
    gusts. Little change in strength is expected before Gonzalo reaches
    the southern Windward Islands. Weakening is expected after Gonzalo
    moves over the eastern Caribbean Sea, and the system is forecast to
    dissipate by Sunday night or Monday.

    Data from the Hurricane Hunter plane indicate that the
    tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 25 miles (35 km)
    from the center.

    The estimated minimum central pressure based on data from the Air
    Force Reserve Hurricane Hunters is 1009 mb (29.80 inches).

    HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND

    Key messages for Gonzalo can be found in the Tropical Cyclone
    Discussion under AWIPS header MIATCDAT2, WMO header WTNT42 KNHC,
    and on the web a http://www.hurricanes.gov/text/MIATCDAT2.shtml.

    WIND: Tropical storm conditions are expected within portions of
    the Tropical Storm Warning area today.

    RAINFALL: Gonzalo is expected to produce total rain accumulations of
    1 to 3 inches, with isolated maximum amounts of 5 inches in
    Barbados, the Windward Islands and Trinidad and Tobago through
    Sunday night. Gonzalo is also expected to produce total rain
    accumulations of 1 to 2 inches in northeastern Venezuela. Rainfall
    in Barbados, the Windward Islands and Trinidad and Tobago could lead
    to areas of flash flooding.

    NEXT ADVISORY

    Next complete advisory at 500 AM AST.

    $$
    Forecaster Roberts

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  16. Let s see if this next storm misses Barbados.

    A tropical wave is producing a broad area of cloudiness and
    disorganized showers and thunderstorms several hundred miles
    southwest of Cabo Verde Islands. The wave is expected to move
    westward at about 15 mph during the next several days, and a
    tropical depression is likely form early next week when the system
    reaches the central tropical Atlantic.

    * Formation chance through 48 hours…low…20 percent.
    * Formation chance through 5 days…high…70 percent. ********

    Reply ↓

  20. Good rain already this foreday and also since sunrise. Glad for it. Was planning to do some gardening starting at 7 this morning, but that is off for the time being. Working onn a volunteer roject which can be done from indoors so will begin “work” soon.

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  22. It is not a storm but…

    //www.instagram.com/embed.js

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    • Barbados Met Services monitors strong tropical wave

      Article by Barbados Today
      Published on June 21, 2021

      https://barbadostoday.bb/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Screen-Shot-2021-06-21-at-11.18.37-AM-1-730×456.png

      The Barbados Meteorological Services (BMS) is closely monitoring the progress of a strong tropical wave located 800 miles east-southeast of Barbados at 8 a.m. LST on Monday, 21st, 2021.

      The forecasters say the satellite imagery is indicating areas of disorganized showers and thunderstorms as this tropical wave propagates towards the west to west-northwest at 15 miles-per-hour. There are presently no watches or warnings in effect for Barbados.

      The BMS said: “As this system maintains its westward progression, some slow development is forecast over the next 24 to 48 hours. However, model data indicated this system will encounter unfavourable upper-level winds by Thursday, June 24, reducing further chances of development.”

      It added that the tropical wave could affect Barbados from late Thursday, June 24, 2021 into Friday, June 25.

      The BMS says it will issue the next update at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, June 22 or sooner if conditions warrant.

      https://barbadostoday.bb/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Wind_Bulletin-650×488.png

      Source: Barbados Today


  24. David et al,

    NHC has this at 20% formation probability. In 5 days time, it looks like it will be right on our doorstep (based on latest NHC forecast graphic).

    A few links:

    Latest satellite images by region: https://caribbeanweather.org/satellite-images/

    Latest surface analysis charts by region: https://caribbeanweather.org/surface-analysis-charts/

    Latest wind shear charts: https://caribbeanweather.org/north-atlantic-wind-shear/

    Latest sea surface temperature analysis: https://caribbeanweather.org/sea-surface-temperature/

    Latest wind and wave: https://caribbeanweather.org/wind-and-wave/

    Latest NHC: https://caribbeanweather.org/hurricane-season/

    Keep safe all, don’t wait ’til the last minute to prep.

    Amit.

    Reply ↓

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