Dale C. S. Destin |
Today was one of the hottest days on record for many parts of Antigua. We were one of the hottest places, if not the hottest place, in the Caribbean. The Antigua and Barbuda Meteorological Service, located at the V. C. Bird International Airport, recorded a max temperature of 34.6 °C (94.3 °F), the second highest temperature dating back to, at least, 1971.
It was “real hot”, hotter than Third World’s “96 Degrees In The Shade”. When the humidity is factored in, the peak feel-like-temperature or the heat index was around 38 °C (100 °F) in the shade and as high as 43 °C (110 °F) in direct sunshine.
Based on our record dating back to 1971, no other day in September has every recorded a higher temperature. The only day that has been warmer is August 12, 1995 with 34.9 °C (94.8 °F).
The conditions that led to this near record high temperature were light southeast to southerly winds at the lower levels of the atmosphere. This flow was largely set up by the location of Hurricane Joaquin near the Bahamas and a tropical disturbance about 600 miles north-northeast of the Leeward Islands.
Similar conditions are expected to persist through, at least, this coming Sunday. Thus, we could see similar heat over the upcoming days.
However, there are two x-factors that could work in our favour to prevent a repeat of the extreme heat. We are expecting a stream of high level clouds which could block out some of the sunshine. Also, a build-up of low clouds, due to sea-breeze convergence, could result in near normal temperatures.
We will be keeping an eye on the heat over the upcoming days. The record high for October of 33.2 °C(91.8 °F) could tumble. Residents should avoid outdoor activities between midmorning and midafternoon so as to reduce the risk of harm from this hot weather we are having.
Dale Destin - 268Weather 