Thunderstorm brings flooding, landslides and funnel cloud

While there was nothing record breaking about the quantity of rainfall that fell between Saturday night and last Tuesday morning, when compounded with an intense thunderstorm and other natural and manmade factors, the effects may be felt by many Vincentians for some time to come.{{more}}

According to an official at the Meteorological Office, located at the E.T Joshua Airport at Arnos Vale, between 8pm on Saturday, August 7, and 8am Tuesday, August 10, 167.4 mm (6.5 inches) of rain was recorded.

The official indicated that heavier rains were recorded in the past in a similar time frame, but in this case, significant amounts of rain fell in short spaces of time: between 8pm and 10pm Saturday – 48.1 mm (1.9 inches); and 8pm to 10:30pm Monday – 72.3mm (2.8inches).

According to the official, the weather experienced over the last few days was as a result of an interaction between two systems: an Upper Level Trough and an Inter Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ).

He said that the marriage of weather systems is unpredictable, and they cannot say when another such system might pass.

According to the official, the intense thunderstorm also caused some damage to the equipment at the Met Office.

Reports of flooding, land slippage, and even a funnel cloud sighting on Tuesday were all a result of this condition.

The Met Office official noted that sightings of funnel clouds, which can lead to tornadoes or waterspouts, should be reported to the office.

He said that reporting these sightings (time and location) can help the relevant authorities to warn aircraft. (JJ)