The soaring temperatures of 36.5 degrees experienced over the last few weeks were interrupted by much needed rain on Thursday night and into the greater part of yesterday.
But cool conditions may not last for long, assistant weather forecaster Jean-Marc Rampersad warned yesterday, as hot weather and dusty conditions are again expected.
In east Trinidad in particular, there were heavy showers and in some instances it was accompanied by lightning and thunder. In Port-of-Spain and environs, heavy rains resulted in flash flooding and traffic, especially in the downtown area.
Rampersad said the rains resulted from a low level trough which made its way over Trinidad on Thursday night.
“The low level trough only developed last night (Thursday) and gradually headed towards the country, hence the rains and cloudy periods. But this is not expected to be a lasting condition,” Rampersad said.
He said the conditions were expected to dissipate over the weekend as temperatures are expected to return to between 33 and 34 degrees.
“We are looking at generally improved conditions over the weekend. It may not necessarily be as hot, but it is still possible,” he said.
“We would expect a few cloudy periods but it would not be anything like what was experienced today (yesterday). It would be generally sunny.”
Activities related to the Tobago Jazz Experience were also expected to run smoothly, as there were no forecasted showers for Tobago.
“We haven’t received any word about any cancellations or delays, but if something was to affect the jazz festival a warning would be issued,” Rampersad said.
Regarding marine interests and sea bathers, he said the Met Office was not issuing a bulletin yesterday.
“Sea conditions are normal this time. However, due to the heavy showers you would find the sea becoming a little more choppy, but nothing significant at the moment,” Rampersad said.
It was only on Thursday that the Met Office had warned that sweltering conditions were expected this weekend.