Weather intensity – A force to be reckoned with


In Trinidad and Tobago, we are fortunate to be located in the Southern Caribbean just below the equator (Latitude: 10oN, Longitude: 61oW). When storms form in the Atlantic Ocean they rotate in a clockwise direction which projects the storms north-westerly, hence we are usually spared from bad weather. However, recently we have been experiencing intense weather conditions that were seemingly not there before. These once rare occurrences are becoming more frequent.

Figure 1: showing the weather patterns in the Atlantic Ocean
(Trinidad and Tobago Weather Centre 2021)

Why are we experiencing this weather?

Let us discuss the role that Climate Change has on the increasing weather intensity. Climate Change refers to the abnormalities that occur within our normal climate. For example, in Trinidad and Tobago, we have two seasons, the dry season and the wet season. This year we have had an extremely hot dry season, and we are currently experiencing torrential rains in our wet season. We have seen reports of rooves blowing away, trees falling, landslides, and much more throughout the length and breadth of the country. The now warmer waters of the Atlantic fuels more violent storms. It also means that there are storms more frequently.

Figure 2: showing different effects of climate change (NOAA 2021)

After looking at the news on the night of September 3rd, 2021, a counselor from Cumuto brought up an important point about deforestation. The trees in forested areas like Cumuto once was, play a crucial role in breaking the wind shear. This protects us from facing the full brunt of the force of the wind. Not only is deforestation bad in terms of the wind shear but it also increases the surface runoff since there is less open soil and trees to soak up excess water. This results in flooding across numerous parts of Trinidad and Tobago. Our constantly changing environment alters the way that weather affects us, not just in terms of rainfall, but drought and increased temperature.

Video 1: Showing falling tress during torrential rains in Trinidad

Additionally, we have been experiencing drastic weather changes. One minute we have scorching sunshine and in the blink of an eye the weather is completely changed. This is not a regular occurrence, but it is the weather we have been experiencing for the past two weeks. All these changes can be attributed to climate change.

 

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