A canopy of medium to high level clouds blanketed the Virgin
Islands today and this made sky conditions mostly cloudy. Shower activity,
however, was minimal because of a dry pool of air. The cirrus clouds are associated
with the eastern side of a small low that is spinning southwestwards and this
feature will play a prominent role in the weather conditions over the area
tomorrow. While a surface to mid-level ridge is currently the governing weather
feature, a tropical wave and moist surrounding environment is moving towards
the islands. Already moderate rain showers are noted on radar imagery.
For the next 24hrs, the axis of the tropical wave will be moving
through the Virgin Islands with a high potential for significant rainfall.
Models have indicated that rainfall amounts can be as much as an inch in a very
short time. In addition, Forecasters of the Antigua Met Office have indicated
that present models show an amplification of the wave between morning and
midday tomorrow Thursday just west of the area. This amplification is due to
the upper support provided by the trough. With the trough/wave interaction
expected in a relative unstable local environment, localized enhancement could
easily produce greater accumulations than what is presented. For this reason, residents should pay
close attention to the forecasts as the possibility for flash flooding is very
significant. If conditions deteriorate, a Flash Flood Watch or even a Warning
maybe issued sometime tomorrow.
Disclaimer: The Department of Disaster
Management (DDM) is not an official Meteorological Office. The Information
disseminated by the Department is gathered from a number of professional
sources used or contracted by the DDM to provide such information. This
information is to be used as a guide by anyone who has interest in local
weather conditions. By no means can the DDM or the BVI Government be held
accountable by anyone who uses this information appropriately for legal
evidence or in justification of any decision which may result in the loss of
finances, property or life.
